Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has said finishing in a European place would be the “best way” to finish his time at the club.

The former Spain defender joined the club in 2023, replacing Gary O’Neil, but will leave in the summer when his contract expires.

With two games of the Premier League season remaining, Iraola’s side sit sixth in a Europa League spot, but are just four points off a Champions League place while they could still end up in Europe’s third-tier competition, the Conference League.

Sixth may even be enough for the Cherries to play in the Champions League should Aston Villa beat Freiburg in the Europa League final and finish fifth.

“It would be the best way to finish these amazing three seasons,” Iraola said.

“Especially this year, it has been really challenging for me as a coach because we’ve changed the team a lot and we’ve changed, not completely our style, but it’s a different type of football comparing to last season.

“It would be the best way to end it.”

The Cherries have never played in European competition in their 127-year history and close out the season with the visit of title-chasing Manchester City on Tuesday (19:30 BST) followed by a trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday (16:00 BST).

Just one point is required from their last two games to secure European football.

“We are really close, but there is a big difference between being really close and getting it and grabbing it,” added Iraola.

Bournemouth are currently on a remarkable 16-match unbeaten run in the top flight – the longest of any side in the competition this season, with their last defeat coming against leaders Arsenal on 3 January.

Iraola’s side have not been defeated since selling then-top scorer Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City in the January transfer window with the forward returning to the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday.

Brazil, the most decorated nation in FIFA World Cup history, heads into the 2026 edition determined to re-establish itself at the summit of world football. Having appeared in every single World Cup tournament, the Seleção once again arrive with enormous expectations and global attention surrounding them.

Despite possessing a squad filled with elite talent, Brazil’s recent World Cup campaigns have failed to deliver the success fans have come to expect. Now under the leadership of Carlo Ancelotti, the five-time champions hope to begin a new era when they open their campaign against Morocco in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on June 13.

Real Madrid superstar Vinícius Júnior leads a generation eager to restore Brazil’s faded dominance and create its own legacy on the international stage.

Brazil’s road to qualification, however, was far from straightforward. The Seleção struggled for consistency early in the campaign, winning only three of their opening eight qualifiers. Poor performances and disappointing results continued until Ancelotti’s arrival helped steady the team and guide them to qualification.

Brazil’s Group C in FIFA World Cup 2026

• 
  Brazil
• 
  Morocco
• 
  Haiti
• 
  Scotland

Will Ancelloti give Neymar his last dance?

Vinícius Júnior enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Brazil’s biggest attacking weapon and a genuine game-changer in the final third. Known for his explosive speed, fearless dribbling, and ability to embarrass defenders in one-on-one situations, the Real Madrid star remains a constant threat whenever he gets on the ball. Reuniting with Carlo Ancelotti at international level could prove crucial, as the Brazilian winger now looks ready to carry his world-class club performances onto the World Cup stage for the Seleção. 
With Neymar’s inclusion a very big possibility this year too, only time will tell who will miss out if the star forward makes his entry into the squad for one last time.

Meanwhile, Endrick has emerged as one of Brazil’s most exciting young prospects heading into the tournament. The 19-year-old endured limited opportunities at Real Madrid earlier in the season but revived his confidence during a productive loan spell with Lyon in Ligue 1. With Estêvão sidelined through injury, Endrick is expected to provide an important option on the right flank.

Brazil schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026

Brazil Strengths

Brazil are expected to line up in a hybrid 4-2-3-1 system under Carlo Ancelotti, built around patience, structure, and explosive transitions. Rather than overwhelming opponents with constant attacking pressure, the Seleção prefer to stay compact, absorb possession, and strike at the ideal moment through rapid counterattacks.

One of Brazil’s biggest strengths lies in their electrifying pace and directness on the break, with attacking stars capable of turning defence into attack within seconds. Their ability to remain disciplined without the ball allows them to create dangerous spaces in transition. Brazil also benefit from exceptional goalkeeping quality, which provides stability at the back and often helps the team comfortably manage tight matches.

Brazil Weaknesses

Despite their attacking talent, Brazil still have concerns in certain areas of the squad. The fullback positions remain relatively unproven at the highest international level, raising questions about consistency and defensive reliability against elite opposition.

Another issue is the inconsistency in midfield performances. While the team possesses technical quality, Brazil’s midfield can occasionally struggle to control games for long periods or maintain rhythm under pressure. If the midfield fails to provide balance between defence and attack, the team can become vulnerable against sides capable of dominating possession and dictating tempo.

Defenders: Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Gabriel Magalhães, Bremer, Léo Pereira, Ibáñez, Alexsandro, Fabrício Bruno, Beraldo, Vitor Reis, Murillo, Wesley, Danilo, Paulo Henrique, Vitinho, Alex Sandro, Douglas Santos, Luciano Juba, Caio Henrique, Kaiki, Carlos Augusto

Midfielders: Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Fabinho, Andrey Santos, Danilo, Lucas Paquetá, Gabriel Sara, João Gomes, Andreas Pereira, Joelinton, Gerson, Matheus Pereira

Forwards: Vinicius Jr., Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Luiz Henrique, Gabriel Martinelli, João Pedro, Neymar, Endrick, Rayan, Antony, Igor Thiago, Pedro, Richarlison, Igor Jesus, Kaio Jorge

The most anticipated matchup of the 2026 NBA playoffs has arrived. The reigning champion Thunder will go up against the upstart Spurs in the Western Conference finals. The best-of-seven series begins on Monday, one day after the 2025-26 MVP award is handed out. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama, the biggest stars on the Thunder and Spurs, are both finalists. 

One of them could very well be handed a trophy at the beginning of the series. But who will be celebrating with hardware at the end of the series? That’s what we’re here to discuss.

The Thunder, a perfect 8-0 through two rounds of these playoffs, are the favorites (-260 at FanDuel) to win this series and return to the NBA Finals. But the Spurs, who finished off the Timberwolves in the second round on Friday night, had OKC’s number throughout the regular season.

Can Wemby and the Spurs pull off the upset? Or will the Thunder take another major step toward becoming the first back-to-back title winner in the NBA since 2018?

Thunder vs. Spurs predictions: WCF expert picks

Botkin: Spurs in 7. This series could come down to the handful of minutes that Victor Wembanyama goes to the bench. We saw the Timberwolves start attacking the rim, successfully, the second that happened, and OKC is all about paint and rim pressure. But Wemby should be playing 40-plus every night in this series, so they’re either going to have to score against the guy basically nobody can score against or make a lot of jumpers. In a shooting contest, I like the Spurs. Yes, San Antonio is going to have to deal with a level of physicality it has not seen in these playoffs. It could stun them initially. But at the end of the day, I’m betting on the Wemby effect to trump all other factors in this series. He’s the defensive version of 2014-15 Stephen Curry in the way he warps the geometry of the court. Because of that, those Warriors were ready to win it all before people were ready to accept that fact, without the years of “playoff bruises” everyone thinks you need to endure first, and San Antonio is going to win not only this series but the whole damn thing for the same reason.

Gonzalez: Thunder in 7. This is the one we’ve all been waiting for: the best two teams during the regular season led by two of the three MVP finalists. Apologies to whoever comes out of the Eastern Conference, but this might as well be the Finals proper. Nobody who gets out of the other side of the bracket is beating either of these teams. The Spurs won 4 of 5 against the Thunder this season — as Wemby is fond of mentioning — but as San Antonio surely knows that’s an entirely different proposition than beating the defending champs in the playoffs. Especially with OKC having home-court advantage, a place where the Thunder have lost just seven times all season. Jalen Williams is ready to return for the Thunder, adding more top-line talent to a team that’s already absurdly deep. SGA barely had to break a sweat in the second round against the Lakers. He’ll obviously have to work a lot harder against the Spurs. But as good as San Antonio is, there’s still a postseason experience gap between the Spurs and the Thunder. That counts for something here.

Herbert: Thunder in 7. That I’m predicting this will go seven is a testament to how awesome the Spurs have been. The Thunder are a true juggernaut of a team, deeper and more versatile and more physically imposing than most championship teams. And based on what we saw in the regular season, San Antonio really could take them down. The Spurs’ guards are capable of making OKC’s historically stingy defense look inadequate. Victor Wembanyama is capable of anything. I just think the Thunder have a bit more room for error, especially with Jalen Williams healthy again.

Maloney: Thunder in 7. Everyone has been looking forward to this series for months, and hopefully the wait will be worth it after a somewhat lackluster postseason thus far. The Spurs, as we’ve noted, went 4-1 against the Thunder during the regular season, and Victor Wembanyama’s presence causes real problems for how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. like to operate. But the playoffs are not the regular season, and I’m picking the Thunder to advance in a narrow seven-game series for multiple reasons: their championship experience, their superior depth, their home-court advantage and the extra rest they’ve gotten all postseason after two consecutive sweeps.

Quinn: Thunder in 7. No team vexes Oklahoma City quite like San Antonio. So much of the Thunder offense hinges on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rim pressure, and no player shuts opponents off at the rim quite like Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs won four of the five regular-season matchups. Both teams still have cards left to play. We don’t even really know how good the Thunder actually are yet, but with Jalen Williams set to return for this series, they might be about to level up. Would Oklahoma City juice its offense by keeping Ajay Mitchell in the starting five over Lu Dort when Williams comes back? Are the Spurs willing to start Dylan Harper? Their go-to “we’re getting serious” move in the old days was starting Manu Ginobili in a big playoff game, and Harper is quite clearly among their best five players. I’m leaning Oklahoma City for a few reasons. I don’t find San Antonio’s recent 3-point shooting all that sustainable. I think the Thunder are the only team in the NBA with the defensive athleticism to contain these guards. The Thunder have home-court advantage. And Oklahoma City has been here before, and I’m not sure the Spurs are quite ready for the level of physicality they’re about to endure. This is anyone’s series, and whoever takes it will be heavily favored in the Finals.

Salerno: Thunder in 6. This matchup reminds me of the Seahawks vs. Rams NFC Championship Game earlier this year. The Thunder and Spurs are the two best teams in the NBA, and the winner of this series will be the favorite in the NBA Finals — just like the Seahawks were the consensus favorite in the Super Bowl vs. the Patriots. I can’t pick against the Thunder. OKC has been dominating without Jalen Williams in the lineup. Ajay Mitchell is turning into a legit star in Williams’ absence. OKC’s physicality will be the difference here. One subplot of this series is that Victor Wembanyama will likely have to watch Shai Gilgeous-Alexander receive the MVP trophy. Drama! Give me OKC in 6.

The Vikings’ Sam Darnold decision made at least some sense, largely due to the team’s fondness for compensatory picks and the young lad taking over the QB1 job. But, to be sure, Minnesota’s front office picked wrong, contributing to firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

Seattle signed Darnold to a three-year contract for a touch above $100 million. Doing so now looks like a stroke of genius since the Seahawks are coming off a Super Bowl victory. The Vikings, meanwhile, finished outside of the final tournament as a 9-8 team, a modest record that was primarily due to the quarterback spot being so poor. Is there any upside to uplift from the wreckage of that decision?

The Vikings’ Sam Darnold Decision and the New Lineman

Letting Darnold slip away involved getting onto the comp picks board. Better yet, the Vikings earned the top compensatory pick. These extra draft selections start seeing daylight at the end of the 3rd, meaning the best one hits at No. 97 overall. Minnesota got that draft selection.

Backup offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan ended up being the choice at that spot. Many praised the move. After all, the draft prophets and prognosticators believed that Mr. Tiernan would get chosen earlier, meaning Minnesota got some nice value by taking the Northwestern tackle who is believed to be an NFL guard.

On the NFL’s website, Lance Zierlein argued that Tiernan should have gotten scooped up in the 2nd or the 3rd. Snagging him with a draft choice that has been tacked onto the very end of the 3rd represents nice bit of value for the Vikings.

“Highly experienced college tackle who is likely to kick inside due to a lack of length that affects his protection projection,” Zierlein writes. “Tiernan is tall but carries the denseness of frame and core strength of a guard. Feet feature good initial quickness and he takes excellent angles on the move. He often finds early positioning advantages as a base blocker but lacks the anchor and play strength to consistently fortify/sustain. Leaky edges in pass pro will be less concerning with smaller spaces to patrol, while his punch timing and lateral quickness provide advantages. ‘Solid’ feels like the ceiling for Tiernan as a guard/swing tackle who can eventually elevate into a starting role.”

Since the pick took place, Caleb Tiernan has been forced to defend his (supposedly) short arms. And, in fairness, there’s some merit in the topic. Holding off a pass rusher like Danielle Hunter or Aidan Hutchinson is easier if the offensive tackle offers similar length as those fantastic pass rushers. The trenches are a hand battle, folks.

Writing off Tiernan, though, would be foolish. Or, at least, insisting that he’s guaranteed to be a guard just doesn’t make any sense. The massive lineman may have shorter arms than desired, but Tiernan is a hulking 6’8″ and 325 pounds. So, too, is he a very good athlete who has a brain in his head. Oh, and he appears a touch tired of defending his arms, possibly putting a bit more motivation into his work.

No doubt, the Vikings’ Sam Darnold decision was a brutal one. Quite possibly, the miss here is the single most consequential decision in Adofo-Mensah getting canned. Seattle got a franchise passer who is good enough to win a Super Bowl; Minnesota got a late-3rd that got sunk into an offensive lineman. At the end of the day, that franchise-level miss can’t be held against the kid.

Caleb Tiernan will be looking to prove his value sooner rather than later. Doing so will mean lessening the sting for what was an awful misstep from the Minnesota Vikings. He has expressed admiration for Brian O’Neill and noted his enthusiasm about learning from Minnesota’s right tackle.

The rookie lineman is 23.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is already creating enormous anticipation among football supporters and betting audiences across the United States.

With the tournament expanding to 48 teams and matches scheduled across North America, interest is building far earlier than in previous editions. Fans are closely tracking squad development, coaching changes, and qualification campaigns as sportsbooks release early markets on likely contenders.

Established football powers remain at the center of discussion, but recent international performances have also shifted expectations heading into the tournament. From European giants to South American champions, several nations are attracting significant attention from bettors evaluating which teams could thrive on football’s biggest stage.

Spain: Proven Quality In Major Tournaments

Interest has intensified as analysts evaluate how Spain could benefit from North American conditions and travel schedules during the tournament. Many fans monitoring futures markets are comparing Spain’s trajectory to other leading contenders while also reviewing broader tournament trends and early USA World Cup odds ahead of kickoff in 2026.

France: Champagne Football On Display

Argentina: Looking to Be The First Defending Champions

England: A Rebuild Bearing Fruit

The USA, Mexico, and Canada: Underdog Interest

Soccer narratives point out that the United States enters the event with a talented generation of players competing in Europe’s top leagues, creating optimism around the team’s potential on home soil. Mexico remains one of the most supported national teams in North America and consistently attracts strong betting activity during major tournaments. Canada has also emerged as a rising football nation after recent international progress and improved squad depth.

A tournament’s commercial success is also often linked to how far the host nation advances into the knockout stages, making the performances of the United States, Mexico, and Canada particularly significant in 2026.

Extended runs from any of the three teams would likely sustain fan engagement, television audiences, and overall betting activity deep into the competition. With packed stadiums and major regional support expected throughout the event, the host nations are positioned to remain among the most discussed and heavily followed teams in 2026 World Cup betting conversations.

Why These Teams Will Dominate the 2026 Conversation

The Minnesota Vikings have a full roster entering the summer, filling out the 90-man depth chart with an extra wide receiver last week: undrafted free agent Terrill Davis.

Davis brings Division II production, Big 12 experience, and a long-shot path into Minnesota’s crowded receiver room.

Minnesota certainly didn’t need extra pass-catchers, but one extra in Davis won’t hurt for training camp.

A Late-Spring Wide Receiver Flier in Minnesota

Get to know a little about Davis.

Davis to Vikings

Vikings.com’s Lindsey Young wrote Thursday, “The Vikings have added a rookie wide receiver, announcing Thursday they’ve signed Terrill Davis out of Oklahoma State. Davis played 12 games for Oklahoma State in 2025 after transferring from Central Oklahoma. He totaled 29 catches for 373 yards (12.9 average).”

“In his final season for Central Oklahoma, he led all NCAA players regardless of division with 1,609 receiving yards en route to earning Division II All-America honors from the AFCA, The Associated Press and other outlets. Davis didn’t start playing football until his senior year at Choctaw High School (Oklahoma), when he opted to give it a try because basketball gymnasiums were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Most signings like this don’t amount to much, but for a team that once cultivated Adam Thielen and C.J. Ham out of nowhere, Davis to Minnesota cannot be ignored.

The Scouting Report

Davis, a late-blooming receiver in college, stands out for his impressive production. Before transferring to Oklahoma State, he dominated Division II at Central Oklahoma, accumulating 109 catches, 1,609 yards, and 15 touchdowns. He then seamlessly transitioned to the higher level of competition in the Big 12, where he recorded 29 receptions for 373 yards, showcasing his ability to perform at that level.

Davis’s playing style suggests he is more of a raw talent than a finished product. He possesses sufficient speed to stretch the field. An Oklahoma State film review lauded his speed, vertical leap, and strong hands on difficult downfield catches, but also noted occasional drops on easier balls.

His Central Oklahoma bio highlighted his speed to create separation, dependable hands, and ability to make plays after the catch. At 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, and with a reported 4.65 40-yard dash, he may not be a pure speed demon, but he demonstrates good athleticism and a notable ability to win contested catches.

Ultimately, Davis is a raw, competitive, and productive prospect whose athletic potential warrants development. He projects as a practice squad candidate with significant upside rather than as an instant-impact player, and his unique collegiate journey makes him an intriguing prospect.

Our Janik Eckardt on Davis: “He wouldn’t be the first basketball player to make the transition. Even some elite NFL players, like Hall of Famer Antonio Gates, started out on the court. Those are mostly tight ends; Davis is not. The youngster joins a receiving crew that is set at the top with top stars Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, as well as recent signee Jauan Jennings.”

“Tai Felton, a third-rounder from the 2025 draft, has shown his worth on special teams and should have a roster spot secured. Unless any rookie can unseat Myles Price from the return jobs, he’ll also be on the team. That’s either the entire WR room or the Vikings keep a sixth, who would be found throughout the summer.”

The Full WR Crops

Minnesota has a full house at wide receiver. After landing Jennings from free agency earlier this month, it doesn’t need more pass-catchers.

Yet, with the Davis addition, more youth is in the developmental pipeline:

When the final roster is announced at the end of August, the Vikings will likely keep about five or six of the players from the list — probably Jefferson through Price.

Probably Eyeing the Practice Squad

Davis’s trajectory? Well, he’s not another Jalen Redmond in the making. Hardly anybody is; it’s what makes Redmond special.

Still, Davis can gaze at the 2026 practice squad as his goal. Often, the Vikings will keep up to 4-6 wide receivers on that section of the depth chart, one call-up away from Sunday action. Men like Jeshaun Jones know the drill. There’s no reason to believe Davis can’t follow suit.

Davis will turn 23 this summer. Next up for the Vikings are organized team activities (OTAs) on May 26, with Davis included.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Mohamed Salah’s social media post asking for Liverpool to return to playing “heavy metal football” is discussed on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show.

Former England captain Rooney says he would have the forward “nowhere near the stadium” for Liverpool’s final Premier League match.

READ MORE: Liverpool must return to heavy metal football – Salah

A major championship has been vacated at Pro Wrestling NOAH. 33-year-old wrestler Mayu Iwatani has confirmed that she has vacated the GHC Women’s Title.

The GHC Women’s Title was introduced in 2024. Kouki Amarei became the inaugural champion. In early 2026, Iwatani won the title by defeating Takumi Iroh at Marigold First Dream.

At NOAH Magic Monday, Iwatani confirmed she would be vacating the GHC Women’s Title due to a fractured toe, which has kept her out of action since mid-April. The 33-year-old wrestler confirmed that she will aim to regain the title once she gets the green light to return to action.

“I really wanted to compete today, and I tried so hard to make it in time for WRESTLE MAGIC, but I have a fractured big toe, so I’m truly sorry… I will be relinquishing the GHC belt. It feels so bitter. I will definitely come back for this belt once I return! For now, just for a little while, we’ll have to say goodbye,” she said. [H/T: Fightful]

Former Women’s Champion IYO SKY opened up about her match with Mayu Iwatani

IYO SKY and Mayu Iwatani shared the ring at Marigold Grand Destiny 2025. The Genius of the Sky briefly spoke about the match and talked about using the Locomotion German Suplex.

The former WWE Superstar stated that she had to push herself beyond physical and mental limits to get past Iwatani.

“No, I don’t do them like that anymore. I haven’t done it even once in America, have I? Three consecutive German suplexes?; Mayu probably didn’t want to take it, so she might have resisted desperately, but I had no choice but to throw her! It became a match where I pushed myself beyond my physical and mental limits.”

Iwatani is best known for her tenure with World Wonder Ring Stardom. The 33-year-old held the Artist of Stardom Championship with SKY, formerly known as Io Shirai, and Takumi Iroha. Iwatani and SKY also held the Goddesses of Stardom Championship twice.