Soccer Aid is back with England battling the World XI for bragging rights in the name of charity with funds raised for Unicef.

Last year’s spectacular at Old Trafford raised over £15m for Unicef to help children around the world.

Going strong since its inception in 2006, this year’s game is set to become the 15th edition with more than £120m raised in that time.

The World XI claimed the win last year at Old Trafford, mostly thanks to Carlos Tevez and the former Man United and Man City star’s four goals, taking the overall score across the series to 8-6 in the World XI’s favour.

And ahead of the serious football at the 2026 World Cup, fans will get to enjoy some legendary footballers rolling back the years, plus other celebrities ready to seize a famous moment on the pitch at West Ham’s London Stadium.

When and where is Soccer Aid 2026?

Soccer Aid is on Sunday, May 31, with kick-off scheduled for 6:30pm BST at West Ham’s London Stadium.

How can I watch Soccer Aid 2026?

Soccer Aid will be shown on ITV 1, and coverage begins at 5pm BST, fans can also live stream it for free on ITVX. While Independent Sport will bring you a live blog, including all the action, updates and analysis.

Who’s playing at Soccer Aid 2026?

England

Managers

Robbie Williams (England)

Harry Redknapp (England)

David Seaman (England)

Players

Wayne Rooney – Former Manchester United and England player

Jermain Defoe – Former Tottenham and England player

Jill Scott – Former Manchester City and England player

Jack Wilshere – Former Arsenal and England player

Shaun Wright-Phillips – Former Manchester City and England player

Tom Hiddleston – Actor

Paddy McGuinness – Comedian and presenter

Owen Cooper – Actor

Danny Dyer – Actor and TV personality

Damson Idris – Actor

Theo Walcott – Former Arsenal and England player

Angry Ginge – YouTuber

Chloe Burrows – Former Love Island star and radio host

Jack Whitehall – Comedian

Jordan North – Radio presenter and podcaster

Sam Thompson – Reality TV star and podcaster

Olly Murs – Singer

Steph Houghton – Former Manchester City, Arsenal and England player

Toni Duggan – Former Manchester City and England player

Joe Marler – Former England rugby player

Joe Hart – Former Manchester City and England goalkeeper

GK Barry – Influencer and podcaster

Alex Brooker – Comedian

World XI

Managers

Usain Bolt (World XI)

Clarence Seedorf (World XI)

Players

Jordi Alba – Former Barcelona and Spain player

Leonardo Bonucci – Former Juventus and Italy player

Lukas Podolski – Former Arsenal and Germany player

Michael Essien – Former Chelsea and Ghana player

Dimitar Berbatov – Former Manchester United and Bulgarian player

Nemanja Matic – Former Manchester United and Serbia player

Ali Krieger – Two-time World Cup winner with United States’ Women

Behzinga – YouTuber and member of the Sidemen

Dermot Kennedy – Singer

Edwin van der Sar – Former Manchester United and Netherlands player

Maisie Adam – Comedian

Jen Beattie – Former Arsenal and Scotland player

Nicky Byrne – Singer (Westlife)

Nitro – Former Team GB sprinter and Gladiators star

Chris O’Dowd – Actor and comedian

Simon Neil – Singer (Biffy Clyro)

Richard Gadd – Actor and comedian

Nikolaj Coster Waldau – Actor

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – Former Commonwealth athlete and Gladiators star

Molly McCann – Former UFC fighter

TBJZL – YouTuber and member of the Sidemen.

Frankie Dettori – Former champion horse racing jockey

NEW DELHI: With his powerful strokeplay, ability to thrive under pressure, and knack for taking apart some of the world’s best bowlers, young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned praise from all quarters, including legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

Tendulkar described Sooryavanshi as “truly special” and said he would love to see the youngster play Test cricket, but cautioned against rushing him into the format.

Sooryavanshi enjoyed a remarkable IPL 2026 season for Rajasthan Royals, scoring 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.31. His tally of 72 sixes not only underlined his dominance but also shattered the record for the most sixes in a single IPL season, surpassing Chris Gayle’s previous mark of 59.

“Everyone is talking about Sooryavanshi, and I watched him bat – it was magnificent,” Tendulkar, who was named the best men’s international batter of the 21st century at Cricinfo Honours in Mumbai, said. “I mean he is something truly special. And not just the ability to hit the ball, but what also fascinated me was the wrist work that he has.

“To be able to play in all directions of the ground, you need good wrist work. And he is not slogging the ball. He is just picking the line and length earlier than the rest of the guys and he is able to clear the rope comfortably.”

There has been considerable discussion around a possible India call-up for Sooryavanshi. Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara had also backed the idea after the team’s defeat to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, saying the 15-year-old was “more than ready” for international cricket.

Tendulkar, meanwhile, said he would like to see Sooryavanshi play Test cricket.

“I would tell him to just be himself,” he said. “There is always a first time. In Test cricket, along with age, he will learn how to deal with various challenges. [It’s about] having a solution-oriented mindset. Problems are always going to be there. Problems will be there till the last day of your career, till the last ball you face. The bowler is asking a question every ball. Now, what solutions do you find? He’s kind of a player who looks very confident, very, very sure of what he wants to do and I would not want to play around with his natural instincts.

“The way he sees the ball and the way he responds to that, if that signal is interrupted – if you put a lot of hurdles in between that by telling him multiple things – that’s where the real challenge would be. I would give him the freedom to go out and bat the way he does. Along with time, he will learn to deal with other challenges of the game.

“Not just me, but everyone would want to see him [playing Test cricket] at some stage. I don’t know when that is going to happen. But an exciting talent needs encouragement. And if he’s doing well, then we need to encourage and support him and enjoy above all and not put pressure on him constantly, you know, he should play this, or he shouldn’t be doing this, or he should be picked in whatever squad. Leave that to the guys [selectors] who are responsible for that.”

Sooryavanshi has also been included in India’s 30-member probables list for the upcoming Asian Games.

The men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games is scheduled to be held from September 24 to October 3.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) said that its immediate priority is to keep the national team programs going after it got suspended by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).

“The Federation acknowledges receipt of the FIVB communication dated 29 May 2026 and is carefully reviewing its implications with the appropriate advisers and stakeholders,” the PNVF wrote.

“PNVF’s immediate priority is to serve the Filipino athlete, preserve the country’s participation in international volleyball, and ensure continuity for the sport.”

READ: PNVF suspended by FIVB over governance issues, alleged violations

The FIVB suspended the Philippine National Volleyball Federation with immediate effect, citing “serious governance concerns and multiple purported violations.”

The FIVB Board of Administration made the shocking announcement Friday night, saying it was obliged to suspend the PNVF in accordance with Article 13.1.1 of the FIVB Disciplinary Regulations.

During the suspension, a committee will be tasked to oversee PNVF affairs. A path for the local federation’s reinstatement has also been established, according to the FIVB.

The Asian Volleyball Confederation Board of Administration also reaffirmed its full confidence in its president Tats Suzara and its “commitment to institutional stability and good governance.”

The Philippine Sports Commission also reportedly suspended its funding support and engagements involving the PNVF and PNVF-adjacent activities due to a breach of “contractual obligations” related to the recent Beach Pro Tour Nuvali and “continuing operational misalignment with the LOC and PSC in the handling and execution of events.”

READ: Alas Pilipinas withdrawals, De Brito case rock PNVF

The Philippine Olympic Committee is also set to suspend the PNVF in its general assembly.

“The Federation respects the important roles of FIVB, PSC, POC, and all relevant institutions in Philippine and international sport, and is prepared to engage constructively through the proper channels,” the PNVF said. “Given the seriousness of the matter, PNVF will seek a full understanding of the issues raised, the process moving forward, and the operational implications for Philippine volleyball.”

Alas Pilipinas continues to train ahead of the AVC Women’s Cup in Candon from June 6 to 14.

FIVB vows to continue supporting Philippine volleyball with several events scheduled, including the hosting of Volleyball Nations League (VNL) women’s division at Philsports Arena.

State of Origin returns on Wednesday night with a new-look rivalry set to unfold at Accor Stadium, where New South Wales and Queensland launch the 2026 series. With both sides unveiling several debutants and key stars missing, the opener shapes as one of the more unpredictable clashes in recent memory. The Blues enter as favourites after winning last year’s series opener, while the Maroons will be eager to respond after suffering defeat in Sydney the last time the venue hosted a decider.

When: Wednesday May 27, 2026 at 8:05 pm

Where: Accor Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

New South Wales Blues vs Queensland Maroons Odds

New South Wales Blues vs Queensland Maroons Preview

The 2026 State of Origin series gets underway at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night, with New South Wales out to continue its recent dominance after winning last year’s opener and entering the series as warm favourite. Ironically, home-ground advantage has meant little in recent campaigns, with neither side managing to win at its designated home venue since the Blues’ victory in Origin III, 2023.

There will be a fresh look to both line-ups following recent eligibility changes. Laurie Daley has named six potential debutants for New South Wales, including Tolutau Koula, Addin Fonua-Blake and Ethan Strange, who was promoted into the starting side after Mitch Moses suffered a hamstring injury. Queensland coach Billy Slater has also turned to new faces, with Jojo Fifita, Sam Walker and Max Plath all set to start, while Briton Nikora looms as an impact option off the bench. Reece Walsh headlines the Maroons’ omissions as Queensland looks to rebound from last year’s 18-6 opening-game defeat.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did all he could on Saturday night, but in the end it was too much to overcome that three of OKC’s core guys didn’t play in Game 7. Jalen Williams was out with a hamstring. Ajay Mitchell had a strained calf. And Chet Holmgren caught a case of the Ben Simmons bug. 

Yeah, Holmgren was technically on the floor for 33 minutes. He did about as much in that time as Williams and Mitchell did from the bench in street clothes, scoring four points on two shot attempts as the Thunder failed in their mission to become the first repeat NBA champion since the 2018 Warriors. 

It’s the Spurs who are marching on to the Finals to face the Knicks after a 111-103 victory in one of the most poised performances you will ever see from a team in a Game 7. It came on the road, against the defending champions, with three players age 22 or younger leading the charge. 

Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper were awesome in Game 6 to keep San Antonio’s season alive, and they were awesome again in Game 7 with a combined 48 points, 20 boards and 11 assists. Even those numbers don’t do justice to the absolutely enormous plays each of them made at the most critical points of this game. Huge bucket after huge bucket. Harper and Castle combined for seven offensive rebounds. 

This is what it looks like to step up in a big-time moment. Not a single player on the Spurs backed away from the heat of this game for even a single second. Holmgren, on the other hand, looked terrified. You don’t usually want to make that sort of judgment on a guy from afar, but this was too obvious to ignore. The guy wanted nothing to do with Wembanyama. Nothing to do with any pass that came his way. Nothing to do with the moment. 

I cannot stress the two shot attempts enough. This was not a case of Holmgren trying to make plays and just running into Wembanyama at every turn, or driving and kicking, or doing anything productive with the ball. He couldn’t get rid of the thing quickly enough. 

This is what it looks like to catch a pass, take a look at the guy in front of you, and simply say “no thanks” and hot-potato it right back where it came from, only to basically be forced to try something when it comes back to you and not even being able to stay on your feet. 

Meanwhile, this is what Wemby was busy doing to Holmgren. 

Let’s also be clear: Wemby wasn’t even Holmgren’s primary defender in this series. The Spurs put wings on him like Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie as Wemby roamed as a paint protector (he basically met Chet at every turn as a help defender), and yet he still couldn’t find a way to exploit the size mismatches as a seven-footer in his own right. 

To even say Holmgren was passive on Saturday night would be giving him too much credit. He was basically invisible. Of the four shots he took, zero came in the second half. Zero! That is inexcusable for a guy who will start a five-year, $239 million contract next season. A guy who was voted Third Team All-NBA this season. 

It’s exponentially worse that Holmgren pulled this disappearing act in a game in which the Thunder were, as mentioned, already without Williams and Mitchell. In a game like this, you need more than one guy who can create his own offense, and with those two guys out, SGA needed Holmgren more than ever. It makes you consider this answer from SGA after OKC’s Game 4 loss in which Holmgren tallied just three buckets. 

That is what you call saying everything without saying anything. So let’s just say it for SGA: Holmgren needed to get himself going. It’s cool that OKC coach Mark Daigneault did the honorable thing and tried to take the blame for Holmgren’s no-show in Game 7, but nobody’s buying that line. It bears repeating, this is a max-contract and All-NBA player. Holmgren averaged 10.7 PPG in this series, down from 17 in the regular season. He was held to single digits twice. If he wasn’t going to do anything offensively, he couldn’t even manage to pull more than four rebounds in Game 7? 

Western Conference Finals winners and losers: De’Aaron Fox steps up for Spurs, two Thunder starters disappear

Sam Quinn

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Wembanyama is going to outplay pretty much every opponent on most nights, but OKC needed Holmgren to at least pull his weight in this series. The fact that the Thunder made it to Game 7 despite the Mitchell and Williams injuries and Holmgren laying multiple eggs is a credit to their depth, defense, toughness and the ability of SGA to create offense when he’s not shooting efficiently himself. 

Alex Caruso gave SGA all the help he could muster. Jared McCain went out firing. Cason Wallace was a stud. Lu Dort, who was terrible all series, is going to get a pass because more is expected of Holmgren, and it should be. If Holmgren has an even halfway decent game on Saturday night the Thunder are probably going to the Finals. 

Holmgren is not going to become the next Ben Simmons. He was sensational all season and great through the first two rounds of the playoffs. Wemby just scares him to death. It wasn’t just this game or this series, either. In four regular-season matchups, he averaged just 10.7 PPG on 38% shooting against the Spurs. 

Holmgren takes this matchup personally. Everyone knows that. Wemby treats him like a little brother. He came into this series wanting to prove himself against Wembanyama. But once he lost confidence, which was almost immediately, he was done in this series. 

It will be a problem moving forward, because no matter how good Holmgren is against everyone else, Oklahoma City probably isn’t going back to another Finals without going through Wemby, in at least some capacity, for the next decade plus.

That said, the Simmons comp is striking. We all remember the meltdown Game 7 against the Hawks in 2021 in which Simmons was palpably terrified of even having the ball in his hands for fear of being fouled and having to shoot free throws. He ultimately passed up a wide-open dunk attempt for the defining lowlight of his career. In that game, Simmons took four shots. Holmgren taking two in this one felt eerily similar. 

It wasn’t the only reason the Thunder lost, but it was the biggest one. No question about it. Before the series started, I wondered whether Holmgren was up for this battle when I wrote the following:

Holmgren struggled mightily against Wembanyama and the Spurs this season. It was a big reason why San Antonio took four of the five matchups, which I don’t put too much weight on, but it can’t be discounted entering this series. The Spurs know they can beat the Thunder. That’s half the battle. 

OKC’s equation changes quite a bit if Holmgren emerges as a legit No. 2 scorer to take some weight off of Mitchell and Williams having to do that. He’s averaging 18.6 PPG on 60/39/88 shooting splits so far, but it’s not the Lakers, against whom he averaged 20 PPG with a big 24-and-12 showing in the clincher, or the Suns on the other side. It’s Wembanyama. Whole different ballgame. 

Holmgren takes this Wemby matchup personal. Everyone knows that. He tried to do too much in their regular-season matchups, hunting his own buckets outside the offense. It’s a fine line, because has to be aggressive. OKC probably can’t win if he isn’t. Especially if Williams’ hamstring issues pop back up. If Holmgren gets badly outplayed by Wemby, OKC will have a pretty steep hill to climb. 

Indeed, Holmgren was badly outplayed by Wembanyama. And in the end, the hill was too steep to climb. 

At least 45 people were arrested in Paris on Saturday after celebrations over Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory descended into chaos, with fires set, businesses vandalized and crowds clashing with police.

Police detained dozens of people as crowds gathered across the French capital following PSG’s victory.

Large crowds gathered near the Arc de Triomphe after the match, with some fans setting off flares and blaring car horns, according to reports from The Associated Press.

Police worked to contain thousands of people gathered along the Champs-Élysées.

POLICE ARREST FIGHT SUSPECTS AT ISRAEL-FRANCE SOCCER GAME DAYS AFTER ATTACKS ON ISRAELI FANS IN AMSTERDAM

A car burns and fireworks explode as police watch PSG supporters celebrate in Paris, Saturday, May 30, 2026, after the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal that’s being played in Budapest. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)

According to authorities, a group of individuals attempted to storm a police station in the French capital late Saturday.

The Paris police prefecture said some people vandalized shops, set fires and torched vehicles during the unrest.

A bakery and a restaurant were damaged during the disturbances, police said.

HUNDREDS OF MIGRANTS EVICTED FROM PARIS THEATER AFTER SQUATTING THERE FOR MONTHS

Paris St Germain fans celebrate winning the UEFA Champions League. (REUTERS/Abdul Saboor)

Authorities also said a crowd briefly blocked the main ring road surrounding the city before police dispersed the gathering.

One police officer was injured, according to police.

As of 10 p.m. local time, police had arrested at least 45 people.

Celebrations erupted across Paris after PSG defeated Arsenal in a dramatic Champions League final, securing one of the club’s biggest achievements on the European stage.

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A car burns as PSG supporters celebrate in Paris, Saturday, May 30, 2026 after the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)

Violent celebrations also followed PSG’s previous Champions League triumph. After the club won the title last year, 201 people were injured in Paris and more than 500 arrests were made across France.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

A heartbroken but defiant Vinesh Phogat launched a stinging attack on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) after failing to qualify for the Asian Games 2026, alleging that sections within the federation wanted her ‘to die’ while vowing to continue her fight against all odds. The former World Championships medallist saw her Asian Games hopes come crashing down after a 4-6 defeat to Meenakshi Goyat in the women’s 53kg semi-finals at the selection trials held here at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Saturday.

Moments after her defeat, the 31-year-old did not hide her frustration with the federation.

“WFI officials were cheering when I lost. Let them celebrate for now. I’m incredibly stubborn and driven, and setbacks only fuel my determination. I’ll make a comeback, and when I do, I’ll silence every doubter with my performance. Right now, the federation wants me to die quickly — that’s what they think,” Phogat told IANS after failing to qualify for the Asian Games.

Vinesh’s comments highlighted the ongoing tensions between her and the federation. Originally limited to the 50kg category, she was later permitted to compete in the 53kg trials after intervention by the Supreme Court and internal discussions within the WFI. Although she did not qualify, she clearly stated that she has no intention of giving up.

Vinesh’s run at the trials started strongly. After returning to competitive wrestling following a long break, she beat Jyoti 7-1 in her first match and then narrowly defeated Nishu 7-6 in a tense quarter-final, securing a spot in the semi-finals. With an Asian Games spot within reach, she entered the last-four match against Meenakshi Goyat full of momentum. However, Meenakshi remained resilient in a tight contest, winning 6-4 and ending Vinesh’s competition.

This defeat ends Vinesh’s attempt at a comeback and her opportunity to qualify for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, later this year. The loss wrapped up a tense and emotional 48 hours for the 31-year-old, who was only able to compete after interventions by the Supreme Court and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Vinesh participated in the trials amid significant uncertainty about her involvement. The WFI initially restricted her to the 50kg category, a rule she strongly contested. After discussions within the federation and steps taken by WFI president Sanjay Singh, the decision was changed on Saturday morning to allow her to compete in her preferred 53kg division.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Delhi vs Mumbai IPL 2026: Fans Flood Arun Jaitley Stadium for High-Voltage Clash

The narrative for the Oklahoma City Thunder was clear as they entered Game 7: Someone needed to step up with both Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell out for the winner-take-all contest.

That someone could easily have been Chet Holmgren. Should have been, even. The 7-foot-1 big man was a third-team All-NBA selection and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored more points for OKC this season.

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It is hard to emphasize enough just how badly that idea worked out.

A potential duel with Victor Wembanyama might as well have been a shadow-boxing session, as Holmgren was a non-factor in the game that decided the Thunder’s season. He finished with 4 points on 1-of-2 shooting (two shots!) with 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks and 2 turnovers.

He had his moments on defense, but OKC needed far more than a defensively inclined big man in Game 7. What’s more, both of those shots came in the Thunder’s first four possessions. He made a step-back jumper after deciding against challenging Wembanyama in the paint. He missed a float with Wembanyama waiting for him at the basket.

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And then he didn’t take a shot for the rest of the game.

That’s not to say he didn’t get the ball. He just avoided doing anything with it while Wembanyama was looming. And the few times he did try to something, like on an iso with his team down five points in the fourth quarter, the results were… not star-level.

Maybe it’s unfair to expect Holmgren to do something he hasn’t all season. He is a shooter and finisher on offense, not a creator. With Williams and Mitchell out, OKC’s biggest problem in Game 7 was an offense that didn’t know what to do when Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t have the ball. Holmgren has never been a ballhandler and this wasn’t exactly the best environment to give it a try.

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However, we need to remember two things.

One, this is the player who has been frequently presented as a foil to Wembanyama, a physical freak approaching the absurdity of a 7-foot-4 Frenchman with guard handles. They are supposed to be rivals, and one of them decided it wasn’t even worth trying to go toe-to-toe in the biggest game of the season.

Two, Holmgren signed a five-year, $239 million max extension last year that goes into effect next season. If he can’t be something, anything, for the Thunder against the Wembanyama-era Spurs, there might be some re-evaluating to do in Oklahoma City.

Trade speculation was running rampant on social media before the game even ended. It could be a long offseason for the Thunder, which is suddenly facing the idea of a younger team that could blot out its future, much like OKC did to the West’s other contenders last year.

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No single player should have his future judged off just one game (though this wasn’t a great series overall for Holmgren before Saturday, either). It’s simply a sign of how catastrophic Saturday was that a contender trading a 24-year-old All-NBA defensive anchor is even a conversation.

Pep Guardiola has managed his last match as Manchester City manager but has reportedly set his eyes on his next job

Pep Guardiola has reportedly ‘told friends’ that he wants to be England boss, just days after his departure from Manchester City was confirmed. The iconic manager has called time on a decade-long stint in Manchester, winning 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

The Daily Mail as per The Sun claim the outgoing City boss won’t return to club management any time soon, suggesting a recent Instagram post from Guardiola’s daughter was a retirement post, rather than a farewell to Manchester.

The report claims Guardiola has told close friends that he wants to take charge of the Three Lions one day, and although the former Barcelona and Man City boss is ‘prone to changing his mind hastily,’ he won’t be lining up a new job in domestic football.

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It’s previously been claimed that Guardiola wants to lead a nation to World Cup glory, having won all there is to win at club level.

However, the outgoing Man City boss may have to wait if he wants to take charge of England at a major tournament, given current boss Thomas Tuchel signed a contract extension ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

The German head coach is set to take charge of England at his first major tournament this summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Tuchel’s contract was set to expire after the tournament, but the FA agreed fresh terms with the former Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea boss to extend his stay until the summer of 2028.

The Three Lions are preparing to jet off to the USA where they’ll face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the group stages of the tournament.

As for City, they’re yet to name Guardiola’s successor, though his former assistant Enzo Maresca is the favourite to take over at the Etihad Stadium.

“When the club tell me who it is, of course I will call him,” said Guardiola when asked about his successor. “I will tell him, ‘Be yourself and the club will support you unconditionally’.

“That is the biggest compliment, or the biggest luck that all the managers who have been here have had. You will be protected in the bad moments more than any other club.

“Be yourself, be free, go with your ideas. Work a lot and everything will be fine.”

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The Minnesota Vikings haven’t employed an official general manager since before the Super Bowl, firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on January 30th. Four months later — to the day — the franchise changed that, hiring Nolan Teasley from the Seattle Seahawks.

The man in charge in an interim capacity this offseason, Rob Brzezinski, will stay within the organization and retain a powerful role, largely responsible for the finances.

Vikings Add a Personnel-Driven Leader from Seattle’s Front Office

Vikings Hire Teasley

It’s official. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote Saturday, “The Minnesota Vikings have hired Nolan Teasley as their general manager, sources told NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero on Saturday, concluding an unusual chapter for the franchise. Teasley has spent the past 13 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, where he began as an intern and advanced to assistant general manager in 2023.”

“He replaces Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, whom the Vikings fired Jan. 30, and interim general manager Rob Brzezinski, who was also a candidate for the permanent job. Because they fired Adofo-Mensah so late in the process, the Wilfs — the Vikings owners — decided to tap Brzezinski, their longtime salary cap analyst and contract negotiator, to lead a temporary front office during the most important team-building time of the year.”

All told, Minnesota interviewed nine candidates for the vacant position, with Teasley as the last man standing.

Who’s Tealsey?

Teasley isn’t just some random name from the league’s executive directory. He’s been with the Seahawks since 2013, starting as a scouting intern and steadily climbing the ranks ever since.

He was slated for his 14th season with Seattle and fourth as assistant general manager, and Teasley has been busy. He previously spent five seasons as the Director of Pro Personnel, one year as the Assistant Director of Pro Personnel, and three seasons as a Pro Personnel Scout. The progression reflects a mighty journey up the front office ladder.

In Seattle, Teasley’s responsibilities were extensive. He collaborated closely with head boss John Schneider, the President of Football Operations and general manager, on player acquisition activities, including the draft, free agency, and trade discussions. Additionally, he oversaw football operations, worked with Seattle’s performance staff on roster development, and contributed to the team’s use of data in scouting.

This last aspect is particularly important. Modern front offices rely not only on traditional scouting reports but also on effective communication across scouting, research, and analytics. Teasley excels in this area, which is precisely the kind of crossover experience Minnesota evidently sought.

Moreover, Teasley’s background in pro personnel is sweet. In his previous roles, he played a key part in fine-tuning Seattle’s strategies for unrestricted free agency, the draft, the undrafted free-agent process, and year-round trade analysis.

Overall, the Vikings essentially hired the guy with the best player scouting resume — perhaps blowback from Adofo-Mensah’s four underwhelming draft classes.

SKOR North‘s Thor Nystrome tweeted, “A+ hire — the one ‘outsider’ candidate, and one of the most respected evaluators in the NFL who wasn’t already a GM. An NFL source told me recently that Teasley would have already been a GM if he played politics. ‘Grinder’ and ‘innovator’ are two words commonly used to describe him.”

It’s also worth noting that the Vikings’ fan base universally approved of the hire on social media, which is tough to do in 2026 for any sports team.

Expect Share Authority

While Teasley will yield ample power, don’t expect head coach Kevin O’Connell and the aforementioned Brzezinski to fade from the decision-making spotlight. Seifert also tweeted, “The Wilfs view Nolan Teasley, Kevin O’Connell and Rob Brzezinski as a leadership team that features experts in their particular fields. 🔺”

Since Zygi and Mark Wilf bought the Vikings 20 years ago — yes, it’s been that long — the ownership group has craved a system of checks and balances more than most organizations. In fact, during their first six years, the Wilfs didn’t even employ an official general manager.

Expect a “triangle of authority” between Teasley, O’Connell, and Brzezinski.

The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis opined. “Why Nolan Teasley? The Vikings have a ton of respect for John Schneider, the way he operates, per sources. Teasley comes with college/pro evaluation experience and is respected in industry. Pairs with Rob Brzezinski & Kevin O’Connell as three experts in their areas.”

Brzezinski Not Going Anywhere

Before Adofo-Mensah’s termination, Brzezinski was known among fans as “the money guy” and “cap wizard.” All signs point to those nicknames remaining intact. SI.com‘s Albert Breer noted, “New Vikings GM Nolan Teasley will report directly to ownership, I’m told. And EVP of football operations Rob Brzezinski, who interviewed for the GM job, plans to stay and work with Teasley and HC Kevin O’Connell. New setup should give the team strong leadership in all 3 areas.”

Brzezinski has worked for the Vikings since 1999 — one year after Minnesota drafted Randy Moss. If you were hoping for Brzezinski to stay on as the top boss, Saturday’s news shouldn’t be much of a letdown. He’s the Executive Vice President of Football Operations.

Teasley’s first tasks might look something like this:

Teasley is 42 — about the same age as O’Connell.

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