The 2026 Melon Music Awards (MMA) is expected to take place in late 2026. However, as always, early predictions are out. X user @KoWatermelon, a K-awards prediction account, shared detailed forecasts on May 31, 2026, based on data up to May 30.
These predictions use the typical Melon Music Awards criteria of Digital 60 percent plus, Votes 20 percent plus, Judges 20 percent, with a tracking period starting from November 20, 2025. The account also provided separate Millions Top 10 predictions based on Digital 80 percent plus Votes 20 percent. All information comes directly from the posted charts by @KoWatermelon.
Moreover, these remain early predictions and are subject to change with ongoing activity.
List of early 2026 Melon Music Awards predictions: BTS, ARIRANG, IVE, AKMU, and more
Here’s the full prediction list by X user Kowatermelon for the 2026 Melon Music Awards (MMA):
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Top 10 Artists
BTS
AKMU
IVE
KiiiKiii
ILLIT
PLAVE
Hearts2Hearts
NCT WISH
HAON
fromis_9
Millions Top 10 Albums
ARIRANG (BTS)
FLOWERING (AKMU)
REVIVE+ (IVE)
Ode to Love (NCT WISH)
Caligo Pt.2 (PLAVE)
REVERXE (EXO)
Fame (RIIZE)
EUPHORIA (ALPHA DRIVE ONE)
Unfiltered (WONPIL (DAY6))
7TH YEAR: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns (TXT)
Artist of the Year
BTS
AKMU
IVE
KiiiKiii
ILLIT
PLAVE
Hearts2Hearts
NCT WISH
HAON
fromis_9
Album of the Year
ARIRANG (BTS)
FLOWERING (AKMU)
REVIVE+ (IVE)
Delulu Pack (KiiiKiii)
Ode to Love (NCT WISH)
ALLDAY PROJECT (ALLDAY PROJECT)
LOVE CATCHER (YENA)
Caligo Pt.2 (PLAVE)
GREEN GREEN (CORTIS)
REVERXE (EXO)
Song of the Year
404 (New Era) (KiiiKiii)
BANG BANG (IVE)
RUDE! (Hearts2Hearts)
NOT CUTE ANYMORE (ILLIT)
Paradise of Rumors (AKMU)
White Memories (fromis_9)
SWIM (BTS)
365Days (Lee Chang Sub)
TICK TOCK (TEAM ZICO X Crush)
Catch Catch (YENA)
Best Male Solo
HAON
NOWIMYOUNG
Raf Sandu
Marv
Jung Joon Hyuk
Best Female Solo
YENA
TAEYEON
Heize
WENDY
MILLI
Best Male Group
BTS
PLAVE
NCT WISH
CORTIS
EXO
Best Female Group
IVE
KiiiKiii
ILLIT
Hearts2Hearts
fromis_9
Best New Artist
ALPHA DRIVE ONE
LNGSHOT
HADES
Lee Ji Min
Song ziu
About the Melon Music Awards
The Melon Music Awards (MMA) is an annual music ceremony organized by Kakao Entertainment through its Melon music streaming platform. It began as an online fan-voted event in 2005 and has been held as an offline ceremony in Seoul since 2009. The awards evaluate artists based on digital performance data from Melon, along with online voting and judges’ evaluations.
BTS leads the early 2026 predictions and has won a record 40 awards at the Melon Music Awards in previous years, including 13 daesangs. IVE appears high in several categories and has secured multiple wins in past ceremonies, such as Best Female Group and Album of the Year. AKMU has earned several category awards over the years. Newer acts such as KiiiKiii, ILLIT, PLAVE, and others in the lists have begun collecting their first awards in recent editions, including 2025.
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These are just predictions, and the nominations may vary. Official nominees and winners will depend on full-year performance, voting, and judging.
Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss Wyndham Clark’s U.S. Open win, the week at Shinnecock and more.
Wyndham Clark won the 126th U.S. Open, taking a commanding six-stroke lead into the final round and ultimately besting Sam Burns by one stroke at Shinnecock Hills. How did Wyndham run away from the field so easily the first three days and then hang on, even when it looked grim, on Sunday?
Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): Clark’s putting was deadly all week. But in those opening rounds, he himself said that the driver was key, that when the big stick is going well, he’s tough to beat. It probably helped that Shinnecock, like Los Angeles CC before it, was set up with wide fairways. Clark found a lot of short grass in those opening rounds. And then, when his tee-to-green game got sloppy in the closing rounds, his putter remained en fuego.
Zephyr Melton, associate game-improvement editor (@zephyrmelton): He had a red-hot putter, got some fortunate breaks when he hit it astray, and hit some seriously impressive shots when things got tight. Winning wire-to-wire is always impressive, but to do it in U.S. Open conditions at Shinnecock is on another level.
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Josh Schrock, associate news editor (@schrock_and_awe): He took advantage of the good end of the wind draw on Thursday, and did the same late Saturday when it died down. He built his lead that way and then leaned on a ridiculously clutch putter to bail him out when needed. To win a U.S. Open, especially wire-to-wire at Shinnecock, you’re going to need everything working in your favor; that includes making a number of par and bogey saves. Wyndham did just enough to keep the train on the tracks on Sunday and get it in the house.
Due to some past unsavory headlines — a rules controversy, club-throwing incident and damaging an Oakmont locker — Clark has had to work to reshape his image. Although some argue lots of golfers have tempers. Do you think the criticism of Clark is fair? And will this help turn it around?
Sens: It’s one thing to have a temper. It’s another to trash someone else’s property. Clark earned his reputation. He acted like a toddler on more than one occasion. But this week, he said and did all the right things, and he was gritty as all get out when it mattered. Sports fans like that, and I’m sure Clark earned some admirers along the way. Whether he’s actually changed, who knows? But since when has the American public ever demanded that its celebrities/athletes actually be the people they present themselves to be?
Melton: The criticisms after locker-gate are definitely fair, especially considering his lack of accountability and passive apologies. But in the world of sports, winning cures everything, and adding another trophy to his resume won’t hurt.
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Schrock: How do we define fair? Sports and sports fans, by and large, are not rational or fair. Golf has lacked villains since most of them left for LIV, and if Clark can somewhat fill that void, then that’s good for the sport. It wasn’t just about him smashing a locker or almost hitting a volunteer with a driver at the PGA or mashing the grass down behind the ball at the API. It’s all of it. The fans went a little overboard cheering against him Sunday. But fans don’t like runaway winners, for the most part. They either want drama or a massive win from a superstar. Add in Clark’s transgressions, and you get a guy who isn’t exactly a fan favorite and a New York crowd that will try and will a train wreck into existence. Will a wire-to-wire win at Shinnecock help change that? Does it really matter? Probably not.
Scottie Scheffler, who turned 30 on Sunday, came up short in his first attempt at the career Grand Slam. What gives you optimism he won’t have to wait long to complete the slam, and what gives you pause?
Sens: The only thing that gives me pause is that it’s very hard to win majors. Beyond that, nothing. He’s the best player in the world. He’s healthy. And unlike some other generational talents, he does not seem prone to sabotaging himself on or off the course. If it’s not next year, it will be soon enough.
Melton: He’s got the highest floor of any player in the game, and even when he’s got his C+ game (like he did this week), he keeps himself in contention. It’s only a matter of time before he knocks one off.
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Schrock: He’s just always around the top of the leaderboard. He hasn’t had his A game all year and is always in the mix on Sunday. As long as he continues to have the highest floor in golf, he’ll have more chances to get this done. But while we can all sit here and say that Scheffler should have many more chances to win the career Grand Slam, sometimes things aren’t that neat. We don’t know what the future holds, where his game will be at each time this tournament comes around, whether or not he’ll get the bad side of a draw here or an unlucky bounce there. These opportunities actually don’t happen all the time. It felt like Sunday was a big missed opportunity.
Joaquin Niemann received a two-shot penalty for throwing a golf club during his first round at Shinnecock Hills. No video has surfaced, although The Athletic reported Niemann was angry he didn’t get free relief from fire ants after hitting two balls out of bounds, kicked a flag used to mark his ball and some nearby sand before throwing his club approximately 50 yards. The penalty falls under a new code of conduct policy to police such things. But without any video, do you think the penalty was too severe? Why not just a warning?
Sens: Let’s not fall into the Instagram-era trap of thinking that if it wasn’t captured on video, it didn’t happen. Clearly, there were witnesses, and Niemann didn’t deny what he did. If anything, he should be happy the rules didn’t call for him to be booted from the tournament.
Melton: The act must have been particularly egregious to warrant a penalty without prior warnings. Unfortunately, without any video evidence, we’ll never know exactly what happened.
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Schrock: I don’t have a problem with the penalty as much as I do with the arbitrary nature in which it’s given out. Niemann didn’t deny any of the reported parts of the incident. On Sunday, he joked it was a pretty good throw while also saying he felt the USGA was being intentionally harsh on him. Frustration happens, but there has to be a line. The problem is that we don’t have a clear idea of where that line is and what constitutes crossing it. Jon Rahm drop-kicked his driver down the fairway without penalty. Niemann threw his club away from people and got dinged two strokes. I think the way punishments are given out and the lack of transparency about why they are or aren’t given is a bigger issue than Niemann’s individual incident.
What was your most memorable takeaway from the 126th U.S. Open?
Sens: That as tough as Shinnecock is to play, it might be even tougher to set up. A lot of agony and effort went into getting this one right, both in maintenance practices and in public communications about the conditions. No one wanted the course to become the story. But to some extent, it became anyway. To the point where I heard a superintendent say that if it takes so much sweat and stress to get the course right, it might not be a suitable modern U.S. Open venue.
Melton: That even when Shinnecock is “easy,” it’s still damn hard. With all the complaining we saw on social media, you’d think the winning score was 30 under! Despite being gettable, only three players finished the week in the red. What a test that place presents.
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Schrock: Going to go off the wall here. With Wyndham putting the tournament in a chokehold from basically Thursday evening on, my biggest takeaway is what a bad time it was for LIV to have a dud of a week. As the league pitches outside investors to get money to exist in 2027, its two biggest stars completely no-showed from the good side of the draw. The 78 Jon Rahm shot on Friday was shocking and Bryson DeChambeau quickly exited the proceedings on Friday morning. Bad time to have a bad week.
Who won the week without winning the week?
Sens: Tom Kim. He qualified his way in, then guaranteed himself a spot in next year’s U.S. Open. Not bad for a guy who’d all but vanished from the radar.
Melton: Keith Mitchell. He opened the tournament with a 41 on his opening nine, bounced back with a 29 coming home, and then turned in three more rounds of level-par play. Pretty solid week, I’d say.
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Schrock: Jackson Koivun and Miles Russell. The future of U.S. golf both made the cut and played the weekend together for both rounds. Koivun, who will now turn pro, tied for low amateur, and Russell, who is 17 (!), acquitted himself much better than a number of golf’s big names. The future is bright. Put them out first at Adare Manor, Furyk.
India Women captain Harmanpreet Kaur lamented the team’s missed chances in the field after their six-wicket defeat to South Africa in the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, admitting that the dropped catches proved costly. Defending 158/7, India endured a disappointing outing in the field, missing a potential chance off Tazmin Brits when she was on 18 and giving Marizanne Kapp two reprieves on 25 and 65 through substitute fielder Radha Yadav. The South African pair capitalised on the opportunities, with Kapp remaining unbeaten on 81 to guide her side to a victory and hand India their first loss of the tournament.
After the match, Harmanpreet said India’s dropped catches proved costly, as the team failed to capitalise on key opportunities in the field. While she praised the bowling efforts of Shree Charani and Shafali Verma, she noted that the lack of support from the fielders hurt India’s chances.
“We got a couple of chances in between, but couldn’t take those chances. We have two matches and this is the time to stay positive. Shree Charani and Shafali bowled well but the fielders didn’t support them. We have to take opportunities at this level. We were not lucky enough with that. We have two matches and this is the time to think about that. We will sit and rethink about what to do and then will see the changes to be done. [On Kapp] She took the game away from us. She gave us two chances and those were the crucial moments and that took the game away from us,” the Indian captain said in the post-match presentation.
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Harmanpreet said the defeat offered several lessons and positives, stressing the importance of staying strong and maintaining a positive mindset.
“Lots of learning, lots of positive moments and lots of moments where I have to stay strong. Now is the time to stay positive and think what to do in the upcoming games. Hopefully, we come up better in the next games,” she said.
India will next lock horns against Bangladesh on June 25 before facing off against Australia on June 28.
Coming to the match, Marizanne Kapp starred with both bat and ball as South Africa defeated India by six wickets in the Women’s T20 World Cup in Manchester. Kapp first claimed 2/27 to help restrict India to 158/7 before smashing an unbeaten 81 to guide her side to 161/4 in 19.1 overs.
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India made a strong start through Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, but regular wickets prevented them from capitalising. Shafali top-scored with 31, while Deepti Sharma made 29 and captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 24 in her 200th T20I appearance.
In reply, South Africa were reduced to 25/2 after a brilliant spell from Sree Charani, but Kapp and Tazmin Brits (40) added 97 runs to revive the chase. Kapp then finished the job in style, helping South Africa complete their highest successful chase in Women’s T20 World Cup history and hand India their first defeat of the tournament. The victory lifted South Africa to third place in Group A, while India remained second.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Delhi vs Mumbai IPL 2026: Fans Flood Arun Jaitley Stadium for High-Voltage Clash
A Minnesota Vikings fan watches the action during the first half of a road game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The scene was captured on Oct. 9, 2017, in Chicago as Minnesota supporters filled sections of the stadium and represented the franchise during an important NFC North matchup. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
By now, the Minnesota Vikings’ 2026 offseason is in the books, with training camp beginning on August 1st and the regular season six weeks after that. While the club has fired up some encouraging transactions, such as signing quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver Jauan Jennings, Minnesota may regret a handful of offseason decisions.
Ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = top possible regret), here’s the list of items that could age poorly.
Vikings Bet Heavily on Youth and Internal Development
Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays runs onto the field before a home game at Bank of America Stadium. The pregame moment occurred on Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte as Mays prepared for regular-season action and continued his role along Carolina’s offensive line during the closing weeks of the campaign. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
4. Ignoring Veteran Centers in Free Agency
The Vikings had opportunities to address their center position more aggressively. They could have pursued free agents like Cade Mays, Elgton Jenkins, Lloyd Cushenberry, Luke Fortner, or Tyler Biadasz. Alternatively, they could have drafted a center such as Jake Slaughter, Connor Lew, Sam Hecht, or Logan Jones.
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Instead, they chose to retain Blake Brandel as their primary center, a decision that accepts intrinsic risk.
While Minnesota did draft Cincinnati center Gavin Gerhardt in the 7th Round, hoping he might develop, relying on a 7th-Rounder for an immediate impact is ill-advised, particularly for a team focused on stabilizing the quarterback position and maintaining offensive momentum.
If Brandel performs well, the Vikings’ decision will appear shrewd and patient. However, if he struggles, this one will undoubtedly become an offseason choice that fans quickly criticize, given the available alternatives. Ultimately, they opted to trust their internal solution.
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3. Passing on All the Draft’s Best RBs
In free agency, the Vikings said no thanks to halfbacks like Travis Etienne and Kenneth Walker II — presumably too expensive. Instead, they drafted Demond Claiborne from Wake Forest in Round 5 and re-upped with Aaron Jones at a reduced price.
During the draft, Minnesota passed on these rookie tailbacks:
Kaelon Black | R3, San Francisco 49ers
Jonah Coleman | R4, Denver Broncos
Mike Washington Jr. | R4, Las Vegas Raiders
Emmett Johnson | R5, Kansas City Chiefs
Nicholas Singleton | R5, Tennessee Titans
Adam Randall | R5, Baltimore Ravens
For a franchise that has not connected on a rookie RB draft pick since Dalvin Cook in 2017 and Alexander Mattison (to an extent) in 2019, one might’ve expected more emphasis on a new runner. No luck.
For youth at running back, Claiborne and his 4.37 speed is the one big hope.
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2. Trading Jonathan Greenard
The Vikings might be just fine at outside linebacker with Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. Rookie defender Jake Golday could even play some hybrid ILB-OLB snaps. Early summer clues also hinted that defensive tackle Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins could flip to OLB from time to time in 2026.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard celebrates after a defensive stop as teammates gather around him at U.S. Bank Stadium. The play occurred on Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis during a matchup against the Arizona Cardinals as Brian Flores’ defense controlled momentum in the second quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Regardless, most Super Bowl contenders don’t trade their best defensive players, and they for damn sure don’t trade quality EDGE rushers to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Minnesota did that anyway, refusing to accommodate Greenard’s asking price of $25 million per season over the next four years. The pressure is now squarely on Turner.
1. A Team That Has Drafted Poorly since 2022 Betting It All on 1st-Round DT with a Bad Foot
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The departures of DTs Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in March were no surprise. Allen signed with Cincinnati, Hargrave with Green Bay, and Minnesota signaled a transition towards a younger strategy.
Simply promoting Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins was never going to be the complete solution. While these players remain valuable, the Vikings clearly viewed them as depth rather than primary starters.
The perspective later directly informed their draft strategy. Minnesota dedicated two of its first three picks to Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange, clearly outlining the front office’s vision for rebuilding the defensive line’s interior. The message was straightforward: out with the old and in with the new.
Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks speaks with reporters during a media session at the NFL Scouting Combine inside the Indiana Convention Center. The interview took place on Feb. 25, 2026, in Indianapolis as Banks discussed his preparation and draft outlook before NFL evaluators and team personnel. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
While Allen and Hargrave offered experience, their projected 2025 performance wasn’t compelling enough. The Vikings evidently opted to construct their future defensive line around emerging talent rather than established, albeit mediocre, veterans.
So, the pressure is now on the rookies. Rapid development from Banks and Orange will validate the move. On the other hand, if the defensive line underperforms, questions will inevitably arise about whether parting with two proven veterans was premature.
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The problem with Banks? Well, he’s suffered two separate foot injuries since the summer of 2025, including a broken foot at the 2026 NFL Combine. Big men with foot injuries tend to have problematic recoveries, though that’s not a guarantee.
The Vikings have not drafted well over the last four years, and while Banks has All-Pro upside when healthy, it’s a little weird that one of the NFL’s worst-drafting teams since 2022 would take the plunge on a boom-or-bust rookie.
Hopefully, for the Vikings’ sake, Banks, as No. 1 on this list, will age poorly.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Former U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper Tim Howard understands the early success this group has in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but he doesn’t think they will be hoisting any trophy by the end of the tournament.
In fact, Howard believes it’s “impossible” for them to win the World Cup.
“The U.S. cannot, unequivocally, win the World Cup,” he said on his “Unfiltered Soccer” podcast alongside former USMNT teammate Landon Donovan. “The U.S. will have to play the greatest game they’ve ever played…four games in a row. Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, finals.
Tim Howard, goalkeeper for the United States, plays during a game against Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California, on May 27, 2014.(Michael Burns/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
“It’s literally impossible for the U.S. to win the World Cup. That’s just the reality.”
Donovan, though, was a bit more optimistic than the Hall of Fame goalie.
“Can we? Yes. Has this group proven they can beat a top team? No,” Donovan added. “If they play the way they’re playing, they can absolutely compete with any team in this World Cup. For sure.”
Thus far, the USMNT has had strong victories against Paraguay, a 4-1 victory that marked the most goals scored by Team USA in a World Cup match. Then, they followed it up with a commanding 2-0 win over Australia this past Friday to notch a spot in the knockout rounds.
Donovan believes Mauricio Pochettino’s group is building momentum, which could ultimately help them make that Cinderella run.
United States goalkeeper Tim Howard stands on the field before the CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Jamaica at Levi’s Stadium on July 26, 2017.(Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)
“I’ve said this over and over. Can you do it four times in a row? Can you do it in the round of 16, the quarter, the semi, the final. That is where it gets really hard,” Donovan explained. “But momentum gets going, you never know.”
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The USMNT still has one more Group D match to go, as they face Türkiye on Thursday, which will only impact who they will face in the new round of 32.
It’s a new format for the World Cup, as they expanded group from 32 to 48 teams has now led to a round of 32 instead of the usual round of 16. The top two teams of each group, as well as the top eight third-place teams, will be heading for the knockout rounds.
While this game technically doesn’t matter for the U.S., Pochettino will surely be stressing its importance to continue building on the momentum they’ve created throughout their first two matches.
Christian Pulisic had an assist in the first half of the USMNT World Cup opener against Paraguay.(Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images)
Also, the status of Christian Pulisic, the team’s superstar midfielder who sat out against Australia due to a left calf injury, will be under a microscope once again heading into the final group stage match. Considering the spot in the knockout stage is secured, it will be interesting to see if Pochettino decides to be cautious and sit Pulisic once more to ensure he’s ready for the elimination game.
Can they make a run in those games and shock Howard with a run to the final? The sky is the limit for this group that has made a statement thus far.
And then, all of a sudden, Deniz Undav had disappeared into a sea of Germany shirts. The striker was lost in the jubilant crowd of his teammates celebrating after the Stuttgart forward had scored an injury-time winner for Germany against the Ivory Coast in Toronto.
At first, it seemed as though Undav himself hadn’t quite grasped what he had just accomplished.
“How do I do it? No idea. I’m just in the right spot,” the 29-year-old said afterwards, showing off that now familiar smile of his. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann, who showed a knack for making the right substitutions at the right time, was full of praise for his supersub.
“Deniz has an incredible striker’s instinct. As soon as spaces open up, he’s just super smart,” Nagelsmann said afterwards.
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With nine goals in his last eight international matches and three goals and two assists at this World Cup, Undav is not only the in-form player on his team, but also the current top scorer of the 2026 World Cup.
Amiri: ‘Deniz is lethal in front of the goal’
“I’m over the moon. I had to laugh again, even in Toronto, people are chanting my name, not just in Stuttgart,” Undav said afterwards, full of emotion. “I’m enjoying it; I’m taking it all in.”
It took just under an hour for the Germany fans to start chanting “Deniz Undav,” demanding the fan favorite to be brought off the bench. Nagelsmann responded soon afterwards, and it proved to be a game-changing decision.
“Deniz is absolutely lethal in front of goal,” said Nadiem Amiri, who himself made an impact off the bench by assisting Undav for his first goal.
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For Lothar Matthäus, Germany’s most capped player, Undav reminded him of the iconic Germany striker Gerd Müller from the 1970s. “In that regard, we have a new ‘Germany goal-scoring sensation,’” said Matthäus.
Undav’s movement in the box made the difference as the Stuttgart striker changed the gameImage: Matthias Koch/IMAGO
Move to Belgium the turning point
While Undav is currently living the dream, his journey to World Cup hero has been long and far from usual.
After all, he only became a professional player eight years ago. In 2018, Undav signed his first professional contract with SV Meppen in Germany’s third division. But it wasn’t until the 2021/22 season, when he moved to Union Saint-Gilloise in the Belgian second division, that his career took off.
“My second season in Belgium was the turning point,” said Undav. “Until then, I hadn’t really behaved like a pro; that’s when things became truly professional.”
From Belgium, he moved to the Premier League club to join Brighton & Hove Albion. His time in England helped Undav solidify his path as a professional.
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“I realized what matters in football: You have to work for the team, even making runs that might seem unnecessary at times. It took me three or four months to realize that,” Undav said. “I suddenly became much more effective and valuable to the team.”
Undav has come a long from humble beginningsImage: Joachim Sielski/Sielski-Press/picture alliance
Undav: ‘I’m proud of my journey’
His dedication, attitude and style of play define him to this day. After his time in England, Bundesliga side Stuttgart signed Undav in 2023, and it wasn’t long before he became a key player at the club.
“I’m proud of my journey. I think I’ve had to overcome a lot of hurdles,” Undav told DW two years ago. “That’s what made me a man. Now I’m very confident in what I say, but I’ve also never lost my sense of fun.”
Over two years on from his Germany debut in 2024, Undav now plays a key role in developing the team’s motivation. Club or country, the striker always puts the team first.
“What makes Deniz special? He doesn’t overthink things. He comes in, does his job, and leaves,” explained defender Antonio Rüdiger.
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Aim is to make father proud
Football is important to Undav, but his family always comes first. His parents are from Viransehir, a city in the south east of Turkey. His father is a huge role model, having made sure Undav never wanted for anything during his childhood.
“He worked two or three jobs so that we kids would have everything. If we wanted something, he did everything he could to get it, even working overtime,” Undav told the German Football Association (DFB) in an interview.
“I do everything I can to make my father proud. He came here [to Germany] with nothing and built a life for himself. I take my hat off to him for that. I don’t think I could have done that,” said Undav.
“Who knows, if I’d been in a youth academy the whole time, maybe I would have eventually lost interest in football. But this way, I still enjoy it and try to savor every moment,” he added.
Will Undav start?
Undav played just six minutes at the Euros two years ago. At the World Cup, he is quickly becoming a key player.
For now, he’s Germany’s supersub but head coach Nagelsmann will have to decide whether to keep Undav as an impact player off the bench or play him in the starting eleven.
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“We’ll discuss both options, including with Deniz,” said Nagelsmann. “Deep down, I think he’s quite happy with this role.”
After the win against the Ivory Coast, Undav was named man of the match. “This one’s for my wife,” said Undav with a mischievous smile. And then, he was gone, disappearing into the stadium’s catacombs.
Errol Spence Jr has weighed in on the Greatest of All Time debate, believing one man deserves to be recognised as the most accomplished fighter in history.
These triumphs include iconic wins over the likes of Jake LaMotta and Cuban great Kid Gavilan, with the American also avenging his defeat to Randolph Turpin in 1951.
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In the end, Robinson retired with a professional record of 174-19-6 (109 KOs), having become a multi-time world champion at welter and middleweight.
But despite his remarkable achievements, others would argue that Muhammad Ali – who defeated eight eventual Hall of Famers – is, in fact, the pound-for-pound GOAT.
‘The Greatest’ retired with a professional record of 56-5 (37 KOs) before sadly passing away in 2016, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy both in and out of the ring.
Spence therefore told Premier Boxing Champions that heavyweight legend Ali is simply the greatest fighter of all time, his accolades outshining those of even Robinson.
When asked to name who possessed the all-time greatest jab, meanwhile, Spence highlighted heavyweight icon Larry Holmes and former two-weight world champion Junior Jones.
As for punching power, ‘The Truth’ could not select a winner between Norton, Mike Tyson and Julian Jackson, but was quick to name Ali as the overall GOAT.
Belgium and Iran shared the spoils in a goalless draw in their FIFA World Cup Group G encounter on June 21 (ET), a game that flattered to deceive for the Red Devils. Rudi Garcia’s side dominated possession from the off, controlling 81% of the ball and completing 376 passes to Iran’s 91 in the first half alone.
But for all that territory, they only mustered 0.91 expected goals from 11 shots, repeatedly running into a goalkeeper in inspired form. Iran thought they had taken the lead in the 25th minute when Mehdi Taremi tucked home Ehsan Hajisafi’s disguised free-kick, only for VAR to chalk it off for marginal offside.
Thanks for the submission!
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Things got worse for the Red Devils in the 66th minute when defender Nathan Ngoy was shown a straight red for pulling Taremi back, denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Belgium were hanging on in the closing stages with a man less. The draw leaves both nations on two points apiece in a FIFA World Cup Group G that now looks gloriously unpredictable.
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So, without further ado, here are five talking points from a fascinating night at the Los Angeles Stadium in California:
5) Beiranvand delivers a goalkeeping performance for the ages
Alireza Beiranvand will have a lot to do with Iran walking away from Los Angeles dreaming of the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds. The veteran shot-stopper had a commanding performance, throwing himself in the path of everything Belgium could conjure. The same imperious figure denied the the Red Devils throughout the entire game.
Beiranvand also got onto Youri Tielemans’ early drive and reacted brilliantly to regular efforts from Romelu Lukaku, Maxim De Cuyper, Leandro Trossard, and others. There were 23 shots at his goal on the night, and the goalkeeper ensured that none entered, winning his country a precious point single-handedly.
4) Belgium’s golden generation shows signs of fading
There is a lot of talent across their entire starting XI, but Belgium are still a side looking for an identity. The Red Devils have taken just two points from two fixtures after being held to a 1-1 draw by Egypt in their opener. This is a country that finished third in the 2018 FIFA World Cup but was eliminated in the group stage in 2022.
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The present bunch have a number of players who were part of those previous FIFA World Cup editions. Yet, they are doing little to suggest that brighter days are just around the corner. Their lineup seemed to symbolise an awkward transition, with older players Lukaku and De Bruyne flanked by a younger generation still searching for the right formula.
3) Iran’s low block was masterful and disciplined
Amir Ghalenoei’s gameplan against stronger opponents might have been simple on paper, but it was brutally difficult to execute. Yet, his players did so to near perfection. Iran sat back in a tight, low block, daring Belgium to break through. Sometimes, six or seven defenders crowded into the eighteen-yard box, throwing themselves in front of crosses, shots and loose balls without a hint of fatigue.
Most impressive was their organisation past the first contact, with cover arriving constantly for the second and third blocks. To play this way in defence for 90 minutes takes extraordinary concentration and courage. Iran’s backline barely flinched, and they fully deserved the clean sheet they battled so hard to defend.
2) Nathan Ngoy’s red card turned the FIFA World Cup clash upside down
The defining flashpoint of the match came just past the hour mark, and it was an unhappy one for Nathan Ngoy. Under pressure from Taremi, the young defender lost control, and the striker darted in to sprint clear. With no covering teammate in sight, Taremi was brought down by Ngoy, and referee Dario Herrera had little option but to show a straight red card.
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Belgium had been in control of a game that was blown wide open in a flash. And from then on, the roles were totally reversed, Belgium dropping deep and Iran pushing for a famous winner. It was a hard lesson for a promising young player in Ngoy, but one he will learn plenty from, no doubt.
1) Subpar, blunt finishing from Belgium
It might have been a FIFA World Cup masterclass from Iran’s defence, but Belgium should have found ways to overpower them. Kevin De Bruyne toiled to break down Iran, roaming across the pitch, looking for the gaps that rarely appeared. The playmaker provided the inviting passes, but his team-mates failed to provide the rewarding finish.
Belgium’s 23 shots resulted in 1.82 expected goals throughout the match. The cutting edge was blunt, with De Cuyper, Lukaku and Tielemans all missing presentable openings. There is no denying the quality this side has in possession, but dominating the ball will continue to count for very little in the FIFA World Cup until Belgium rediscover their ruthlessness.
As a result, before Inoue can faces Rodriguez in early 2027, the undisputed champion may target another defence of his super-bantamweight undisputed title in either September or October.
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At present, John Riel Casimero could be under consideration for that bout, whilst fellow Filipino Carl Jammes Martin remains the WBO mandatory challenger.
However, the IBF have now moved to establish a clear contender of their own, ordering an interim title fight between Australia’s Sam Goodman and Japan’s Ryosuke Nishida, according to No Limit Boxing.
WORLD TITLE FIGHT MANDATED 🥊
Australia’s Sam Goodman (22-1) has been ordered by the IBF to face Japan’s No. 1 contender Ryosuke Nishida (11-1) for the IBF Interim Super Bantamweight World Title.
The teams of Goodman and Nishida have 30 days from the date of the order to negotiate terms before the fight heads to purse bids.
Goodman had been expected to face former Inoue opponent Ramon Cardenas in a clash for the WBC Interim title on the undercard of Tim Tszyu’s showdown with Errol Spence Jr next month.
As a result, No Limit Boxing may now attempt to add Goodman-Nishida to that bill instead, which already features the return of Jermall Charlo, provided Nishida can be ready in time.
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Alternatively, Goodman could end up venturing to Japan for the first time in his professional career, where he would have the chance to further strengthen his credentials with local fans ahead of a potential future meeting with ‘The Monster’.
Whether or not the winner of the fight lands a shot at Inoue remains to be seen – ‘The Monster’ has made it clear that he wants the Rodriguez fight at this weight before moving up for one last division before retirement.
Canelo Alvarez no longer holds a super-middleweight world title, but that hasn’t stopped a host of his 168lb rivals from targeting a fight with him.
Alvarez lost as a super-middleweight for the first time when he was outpointed by Terence Crawford last year, but the 35-year-old will have the opportunity to reclaim the WBC belt upon his return in September when he fights new champion Christian Mbilli.
Victory will see Canelo continue into the next era of the super-middleweight division as a man with a target on his back, as a number of fresh-faced operators each jostle to land a lucrative scrap with the four-division world champion.
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One of those men is California’s Diego Pacheco, who had been positioned for a shot at the WBO super-middleweight world title against Hamzah Sheeraz until he withdrew from purse bids and allowed Sheeraz to fight Alem Begic – who was halted inside two rounds by the Brit.
In an interview with ESNEWS, Pacheco named his three-man hitlist, which included both Canelo and Sheeraz, as well as WBA super-middleweight titleholder Jaime Munguia.
“[Jaime] Munguia, [Hamzah] Sheeraz and Canelo, [that is who I want]. I think that me and Munguia go the distance, I stop Hamzah Sheeraz and me and Canelo go the distance, as well, but I win all three, for sure.”
Pacheco recently extended his contract with Matchroom Boxing and he will hope to maintain his 25-fight undefeated record when he appears on home soil against Immanuwel Aleem, on the Cruz-Bell undercard on Saturday, July 18.
Lucy Yeomans, a Cranbourne-based trainer, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to train a horse for some of Australia’s most distinguished owners.
Yeomans is preparing to run Changing Colours, a mare previously trained by Chris Waller, in the Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1420m) at Flemington this Saturday.
Ozzie Kheir and Brae Sokolski, notable owners who have achieved success in some of Australia’s most significant races, are part of the ownership syndicate.
Yeomans’ prior employment with Ciaron Maher led to her acquaintance with Kheir and Sokolski, and her partner, jockey Blake Shinn, has ridden feature race winners for the pair.
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“Brae gave a big push for the horse to come to us which I’m very grateful for,” Yeomans said.
The mare, a rising six-year-old by The Autumn Sun, recorded three wins from her 15 starts for Waller prior to her move to the new stable.
Yeomans mentioned that Waller had sent her an email regarding the mare.
“He’s been really nice, accommodating and forthcoming about the horse,” Yeomans stated regarding Waller.
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“She’s a bit of a quirky mare and they just thought she would be better suited to a smaller environment.
“She’s come up really well and we’re really excited to get her to the races.
“We’ve taken our time with her, got to know her, and she spends a lot of time out in the sandhills.
“We thought that was a point of difference to what she has been used to, but she left Chris’ in great order before coming to us.”
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Yeomans confirmed that Changing Colours had galloped and trialled effectively in preparation for her first start since February.
The mare was successful in a 1000m jump-out at Cranbourne on June 1, having finished fourth in another trial at the same venue the month prior.
“She seems a naturally fit horse, she has good first-up form, has drawn a nice gate,” Yeomans said. “We are not going there expecting to win, but it’s a nice kick off point and ideally the owners want to get some Black Type. At her best she might be, those fringe Black Type races, so we’ll see how we go on Saturday.”
Explore the best Australian betting sites for all the upcoming races at https://www.justhorseracing.com.au/australian-betting-sites-list.
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