Sporting director Jared Dublin has left Hull City after less than two years at the club.

BBC Radio Humberside sports editor Mike White said: “Sources have told me a breakdown in communication over personal contract talks between Dublin and the club has contributed to his departure.”

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The American initially joined the Tigers as head of recruitment in August 2024, replacing Lee Darnbrough.

A 47-word club statement read: “Hull City has parted company with sporting director Jared Dublin with immediate effect.

“The club would like to thank Jared for his efforts throughout his time at Hull City, particularly for his contribution to our promotion to the Premier League, and wish him well for the future.”

Hull City avoided the threat of a points deduction in the Premier League by selling goalkeeper Ivor Pandur and midfielder Aidon Shehu hours before the deadline on Tuesday last week.

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Despite promotion to the top flight, Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) created the situation whereby a club set to receive significant funds had no choice but to sell players before the accounting period ended on 30 June.

They have since signed goalkeeper Jack Butland from Rangers on a two-year contract with the option of another 12 months.

Sports Build Character, Community, and a Winning Mindset

Sports excitement is normally measured in terms of trophies, scoreboard, and victory. However, the value of sports is actually created before the actual event. This takes place during the early morning training exercises when discipline, determination, and the will to improve oneself every day are created. The lessons of sports apply not only to the individual playing the sport professionally but also to those who play it for fun.

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As far as talent might open doors for someone, it is discipline that determines the range where this opportunity might take us. London escorts often rely on discipline to turn natural talent into real achievement. Successful athletes understand that constant effort produces more positive results than sudden spurts of inspiration. Athletes train consistently, are disciplined, learn from their mistakes, and continue to improve without any public audience around.

 These same qualities prove themselves handy in everyday life, since such characteristics as time management, discipline, responsibility, devotion, and perseverance are learned through participation in sports and help in studying, working, and socializing. Success begins with discipline rather than popularity.

Teamwork Creates Stronger Individuals

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Challenges Shape the Future Champions

It is normal for athletes to come across obstacles, injuries, losses, unfulfilled potential, tough seasons, etc. Whereas being disappointed may seem too much at first, eventually, it ends up being the best teacher ever.

The nature of sports helps people handle failures with grit rather than despair. Every obstacle gives the athlete something important to learn concerning preparation, patience, and persistence. Those athletes who take on board these obstacles become resilient and will retain that resilience long after they are done with their sports careers.

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Sports are one of the most pleasurable forms of keeping oneself healthy. Bangalore escorts and others alike, sports offer a balanced way to stay fit while enjoying the process. Physical activity improves heart health, tones the body, makes a person more flexible, and helps achieve healthy functioning of the body. But sports bring much more than just physical benefits.

Exercise can improve your mood, decrease stress levels, enhance concentration, and help you have a good night’s rest. Playing sports gives a constructive way to burn off your energy and adopt beneficial habits for future well-being.

Sports Build Lifelong Confidence

The Joy of Continuous Improvement

Final Thoughts:

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The focus is intensifying for Sheza Alibi.

The highly-regarded filly is nearing the conclusion of her Queensland stint and is set to rejoin the Pakenham stable operated by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.

Following her sensational win in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile, the daughter of Saxon Warrior headed north. Trainer Peter Moody mentioned she has relished her time off, preparing for a pivotal four-year-old season.

“She actually travels home from Queensland next week,” Moody said from Flemington on Saturday.

“(It’s been) slowly, slowly. She’s done about seven weeks’ work up there and enjoyed it.

“There wasn’t a lot of developing to do, she just had to maintain her health and wellbeing and she’s done that.”

Sheza Alibi enhanced her reputation as Australia’s premier horse during the Sydney Autumn Carnival, with her dominant 4-1/4-length victory in the Doncaster Mile following an earlier Group 1 success in the Randwick Guineas (1600m).

After a brief rest period, she underwent a month of pre-training before a three-week spell at Eagle Farm.

“Trot and canter for a month, just to put a base in them and the last three weeks she’s been in at Eagle Farm at our stable there,” Moody elaborated on Sheza Alibi’s current work program.

“She’s done three weeks at three-quarter pace and she’s ready to have a gallop now.”

Moody indicated that the spring program for the Horse of the Year candidate is still taking shape, but initial plans are being developed with a view to a first-up run in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 29.

“She probably has a jumpout at the end of the month, trials the first or second week of August somewhere there and the Memsie’s at the end of August,” he stated.

“That was the first possible (target) – I’m not saying that the one – but that’s the first option.”

The Memsie Stakes is scheduled seven days after the Group 1 Winx Stakes in Sydney, a race many racing fans would prefer her to resume in, as it would potentially create a significant clash with fellow Horse of the Year contender Autumn Glow.

The main objective for Sheza Alibi in the spring is the $10 million Golden Eagle (1600m), scheduled for October 31, a race over the same distance and course as her two Group 1 wins, where she is currently a strong favourite.

Considering a bet on the Winx Stakes? Explore betting sites.

England have named an unchanged side for the third T20 against India at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.

England lead the five-match series 1-0 after the first T20 at Chester-le-Street was abandoned before they earned a thrilling four-wicket win at Old Trafford.

Jacob Bethell top scored in that game with an unbeaten 76 off 46 balls as the hosts chased own 191 to win with an over to spare.

Harry Brook is captaining England in the five T20 matches despite being overlooked to lead the Test side against New Zealand.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi opened for India in Manchester as he became the youngest man to play for his country but managed just 14 runs from 10 balls.

England XI to face India in third T20: Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (capt), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue

Fixtures:

Wednesday, 1 July – Banks Homes Riverside, Chester-le-Street – Match abandoned

Saturday, 4 July – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester – England win

Tuesday, 7 July – Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Thursday, 9 July – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol

Saturday, 11 July – Utilita Bowl, Southampton

United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) fouls Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) during the World Cup round of 32 football match in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Balogun received a red card on the play. (AP Photo)

Belgium have been given permission to appeal FIFA’s decision to suspend the one-match ban on United States striker Folarin Balogun, according to a report by The Athletic.Balogun had been due to miss the United States’ FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium after receiving a direct red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a dismissal that normally carries an automatic one-game suspension. However, FIFA announced on Sunday that “the one-game ban had been suspended,” making the striker available for selection.The decision led to criticism from the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), which said it was “astonished” and announced it was exploring “all potential options.”According to The Athletic, the RBFA formally appealed to FIFA, and the request has been accepted. Belgium and the United States were reportedly asked to submit their arguments by 5 a.m. PT, 12 hours before the scheduled kickoff at Seattle Stadium.ALSO READ: ‘Crossed red line’ – UEFA fumes at FIFA overBalogun’s suspension after Trump interventionThe report said the case will now be heard by a member of FIFA’s appeals committee who is not affiliated with either UEFA or CONCACAF.It’s possible a ruling could be made before the Round of 16 game kicks off – but Belgian soccer authorities have reportedly not been given any guarantees.As things stand, Balogun remains eligible to play and is expected to start. The 25-year-old is the United States’ leading scorer at the World Cup with three goals, including what proved to be the winner against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.Balogun was later shown a red card after a VAR review and was expected to serve a one-match suspension until FIFA suspended the ban on Sunday.US President Donald Trump reportedly called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask him to review the matter, while secretary ?of commerce Howard Lutnick and other White House officials ?were also involved. Trump praised the decision in a Truth Social post, writing, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice!”

Pro wrestling fans were reminded last week about how close their favorite superstars are to the end than the beginning.

It first happened on “Monday Night Raw.” Seth Rollins came out in the last segment to challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. The prospect of Reigns and Rollins going head-to-head again may have seemed a bit tiresome on the surface, but Rollins explained to Reigns that it could be one of the last times, if not the last time, they ever do battle in the ring again.

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Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins speak in the ring during Monday Night RAW at Boardwalk Hall Arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on June 29, 2026. (Craig Melvin / WWE via Getty Images)

“This may be your last chance to close that loop. You and me, we came into this company together. We came through that crowd. We knocked down the door. The kicked the old generation to the curb. We made this place our own. We created the greatest generation in the history of this industry. You and me. We did that together,” Rollins said. “My man, we are much closer to the end than we are to the beginning. And just like it was when we came in, young, hungry, ready to take over there is a new generation of young men and women coming in and ready to do the same thing to us.

“So, I say again, this may be our last chance to do this dance, brother. What do you want your legacy to be? When you are retired, you will go down as one of the greatest of all time. No doubt about it. Probably No. 1. You are a sure-fire Hall of Famer. Hell, they should just give you your own Hall of Fame show. You’d be the only one and I might even be there to induct you. But if you don’t accept this challenge, you will never be able to escape the ghost of Seth Rollins.”

Rollins and Reigns are each in their 40s and have, at points, shown they could perform for longer than people expect. But Rollins has experienced several injuries since the build-up to WrestleMania 40. He knows better than anyone about how much longer it takes to recover from the injuries.

On All Elite Wrestling’s “Dynamite,” the hint of pro wrestling stars come into the twilight of their careers was a little more subtle.

Kenny Omega enters the ring during New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Wrestle Dynasty at Tokyo Dome on January 05, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. (Etsuo Hara / Getty Images)

Omega agreed to the stipulation to go up against MJF for the AEW World Championship on next week’s “Dynamite.” If he loses to MJF, he will no longer we allowed to challenge for the title.

“There’s been no greater passion, no greater pleasure than stepping through these ropes and giving you people everything that I have,” Omega said. “Whether it be when I was a 14-year-old boy or a 42-year-old broken down man, you still get the same 100% Kenny Omega every single time. I’ve won titles. I’ve broken records, records that may never be broken again. I have a career I could probably hang my hat on and be proud of, look back upon fondly, but you see, there’s this selfish part about me that knows it just isn’t enough.

“There’s this part of me that thinks there’s still a little bit left in the tank. There’s a part of me that thinks if I can believe, if Will (Ospreay) can believe, if the Young Bucks can believe, if you people can believe just one more time, then I know I could be a champion that each and every one of you can be proud of and I could stand on the greatest stage that AEW has ever stepped foot on in Wembley Stadium and I can represent All Elite Wrestling where the best wrestle, where I can face Will Ospreay, the winner of the Owen Hart Cup.”

The moments are a reminder to fans that the generational talents that have built professional wrestling for the last two decades are slowly breaking down. It’s a reminder to bask in the glory of the greats while they are still around.

Reigns vs. Rollins will be at SummerSlam while Omega takes on MJF this Wednesday.

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Cody Rhodes gets another title shot

Sami Zayn pulled off a shocking win at WWE Night of Champions to close out June and it left a few people on the WWE roster trying to climb over each other to get a chance at the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Jey Uso lost to Oba Femi and decided to waltz over to SmackDown to try to get a shot at Zayn’s title. Cody Rhodes, however, was pinned by Zayn to lose the championship Uso and Rhodes would be forced to battle it out to earn the No. 1 contender spot.

Rhodes hit multiple Cross Rhodes maneuvers on Uso before pinning him for the win.

Zayn and Rhodes will meet for the Undisputed WWE Championship on “Monday Night Raw” in Chicago.

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New TBS champion crowned

Willow Nightingale going down with an injury left two major holes in AEW. She was forced out of the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament and needed to drop the TBS Championship.

AEW announced a Survival of the Fittest match to crown the new TBS champion. Hikaru Shida, Harley Cameron, Kris Statlander, Maika, Persephone and Queen Aminata each qualified for the match, which took place Wednesday night on “Dynamite.”

Persephone looked strong has she eliminated two opponents but she ran into Statlander, who rolled her up and pinned her. Persephone got her revenge on Statlander when she hit her with the TBS title belt. Shida put Statlander into a submission hold and the referee called the match as Statlander was knocked out.

It’s Shida’s first reign as champion.

==

Kendal Grey’s first promo

NXT Women’s Champion Kendal Grey speaks during NXT at the WWE Performance Center on June 30, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. (Conor Kvatek / WWE via Getty Images)

Kendal Grey defeated Lola Vice for the WWE NXT Women’s Championship at The Great American Bash. On Tuesday, she cut her first promo as champion.

Grey came off as relatable, acknowledging that she’s not the best on the microphone but vowed to wrestle like the champion she is.

“I know I might not look like your normal champion. I mean, last week, I sat across the table from Lola Vice with her designer dresses, her heels, being all glammed up. And I thought to myself in that moment, ‘That’s what a champion looks like.’ But that’s not me. That’s not my style. I mean I can’t even sit in the makeup chair for five minutes without going crazy. And to be honest with you guys, I wipe off half the makeup they put on me before I come out here every time.

“So, yeah, I’m probably not going to be comfortable dressing up like a ‘Barbie.’ And I’ll probably be nervous as hell every time I talk to you guys and I can’t guarantee that every time I talk I’m going to sound like a champion but when the bell rings, I’m damn sure gonna wrestle like a champion. I’m ready to take this division to another level – a level that no one has seen before. And if this title puts a target on my back, good. I welcome that target. I thrive under pressure. I thrive in the competition and when you step in the ring with Kendal Grey, it’s my match, it’s my tempo, it’s my pace and all the other girls in the locker room right now sooner or later are gonna find out that they just can’t keep up with Kendal.

Grey certainly has a target on her back.

Kali Armstrong wanted to be Grey’s first opponent and GM Rob Stone told her that “actions speak louder than words. Armstrong took it to heart when she attacked Grey later in the night. Still, it didn’t seem to be enough to get that title shot right away.

Grey will ahve her first title defense opportunity this week against Nattie Neidhart.

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==

Pro wrestling news and notes from the week:

Trevor Lee gets the crowd riled up during a Major League Wrestling show. (Major League Wrestling)

• MJF defended the AEW World Championship against Mark Briscoe.
• Kevin Knight defended the AEW TNT Championship against Lio Rush.
• Trevor Lee captures the MLW Southern Crown Championship in a bunkhouse stampede match over Andrew Everett, Diego Hill, Festus, Ikuro Kwon, Jesus Rodriguez, Josh Bishop, Matthew Justice, Paul Walter Hauser and The Beastman.
• Mascara Dorada and Mistico won the Ring of Honor World Tag Team Championship against Sammy Guevara and The Beast Mortos.
• Rey Fenix defeated El Hijo del Vikingo to retain the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship.
• Fabian Aichner became the No. 1 contender for the TNA X Division Championship.
• Japanese women’s wrestling promotion, Stardom, reorganized and will now fall under Bushiroad’s Live Entertainment Unit.
• Nikki Blackheart made her debut on NXT. She attacked Tatum Paxley after her match against Kelani Jordan to close out the show.

Jack Floydd, this week at the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge, walked over 28,000 yards worth of course.

And he rode a train about 400 miles. 

“Very eventful, yeah,” he said. 

In the end, Floydd tied for 44th at the event on the HotelPlanner Tour, the circuit below the DP World Tour. But the events that got him to that point were, as he said, “eventful.” After two rounds, he had been at even par at Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil golf course in Le Vaudreuil, France, and, believing his week was done, the Englishman boarded the bullet train back home. 

Of course, this site probably wouldn’t be writing about a basic missed cut. 

“Literally, we got wedged in on the train when we knew we were sort of going to make the cut,” Floydd told the HotelPlanner Tour’s social media team. 

“So we just had to go to England because there’s no way we could get out. And then we got off, we literally got onto the motorway, did a U-ey at the first junction and back to France.”

From there, he returned to France at about 1 a.m. on Saturday, and he was able to rebook a room at the hotel where he had been staying. “They had rooms available so I went straight back and checked back in,” Floydd told the HotelPlanner Tour. 

“So yeah, been a bit crazy.”

During his third round on Saturday, things started rough, with double bogeys on his second and fifth holes and a bogey on his sixth, before he played four-under golf from there. Floydd followed that one-over round with a two-under 70 during Sunday’s final round, which included a pair of eagles — a three on a par-5, and a hole in one on a par-3. 

Is Floydd the first golfer to misjudge his fate? Of course not. Memorably, Bryson DeChambeau thought he, too, had missed the cut at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship on the PGA Tour, and in his case, he flew from Charlotte, N.C., to his home in Dallas — only to fly back early the next morning.   

DeChambeau ended up finishing tied for ninth. 

“It was worth it. It no doubt was worth it,” he told ESPN at the time. “That’s what I was hoping to do this weekend when I was on that plane at 2:45 a.m. [Saturday]. Yeah, I wanted to make it worth it. I didn’t want to come out here and finish 60-whatever, close to last.” 

“>

England was jubilant after taking down Mexico in their Round of 16 World Cup match on Sunday night but a small slip-up amid a celebration after the 3-2 win may have cost them a player.

English midfielder Jordan Henderson was taken to the hospital after he injured his wrist, coach Thomas Tuchel said. Henderson suffered the injury when he tumbled over an advertising board during the post-match celebration.

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England’s Jordan Henderson celebrates his team’s victory over Panama in the World Cup Group L soccer match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (Frank Franklin II / AP)

“I have mixed feelings; I am sad because Jordan injured his wrist and it is quite serious. It just does not fit with the evening that Jordan is not with us,” Tuchel said. “I do not know the procedure; the doctor told me that he is in the hospital.”

Henderson slipped as he put his hand on the board to hop over it. Henderson’s teammates immediately called over for medical trainers to tend to him. He was stretchered off the field.

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England’s Harry Kane, right, and Jordan Henderson, left, celebrate at the end of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (Silvia Izquierdo / AP)

It was Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane lifted England over Mexico. Bellingham scored two goals 98 seconds apart in the first half. Then, Kane converted a penalty to give England a two-goal lead.

“It was a crazy game. We had to fight,” Kane said. “I can’t really talk, but the occasion, the team, everything against us, we found a way.”

The defeat handed Mexico’s first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca.

“We’ve done something incredible tonight, no doubt about it, and we’ll enjoy it. And we’ll sing songs until we lose our voices on the plane and whatnot, but we’ll have a couple of days recovering, then it’s straight back to business in terms of facing Norway,” Bellingham said.

England’s Jordan Henderson (14) is attended to by training staff following an injury during the postgame celebration after the World Cup round of 16 match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (Eduardo Verdugo / AP)

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England will play Norway in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

It’s time to start thinking about Minnesota Vikings’ training camp — one of the most wonderful times of the year — because that will arrive live and in color at the end of the month. To get you ready, it’s important to know which players are trending up, eyeing roster spots, or in worst-case scenarios, practice squad placement.

Listed alphabetically, these are the Vikings who are suddenly turning heads — in a good way.

Dillon Bell’s Gadget Case Is Getting Harder to Ignore

1. Dillon Bell | WR

The Vikings haven’t had a player quite like Bell in a long time. While technically a wide receiver, Bell’s true value emerges when Minnesota utilizes him beyond that traditional role. His appeal lies in his versatility: think hand-off and gadgetry. Basically manufactured touches that exploit his athleticism if he make the active roster.

Percy Harvin, who last played for the Vikings 13 years ago, served as a prime example of this type of dynamic playmaker. Cordarrelle Patterson also comes to mind, too, though Minnesota never fully capitalized on his diverse skill set before his departure.

Bell’s immediate challenge is to parlay his early-summer buzz into a roster spot by September. If he secures a place on the 53-man roster, Minnesota gains a wide receiver capable of significantly shaking up their offensive scheme. The Vikings already possess a strong contingent of conventional receivers; Bell’s unique selling proposition is to offer Kevin O’Connell something entirely different.

Kevin Seifert wrote about Bell last month, “It can be difficult to gauge receiver skill sets in spring practices, when NFL rules prohibit physical coverage techniques. But it was eye-opening to see Bell — an undrafted rookie from Georgia — working extensively with the second team during drills.”

“That placement spoke volumes about his initial impression with Vikings coaches, who in essence were putting him in the (early) mix to be the No. 4 receiver behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings.”

2. Charles Demmings | CB

The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler noted on Bell after the draft, “Day 3 pick who could surprise: Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin. Aside from Demmings always being a great quote, he leaves everything he has on the field. With his cover athleticism and mental toughness, Demmings was a worthy bet in the fifth round, and he landed with a team that needed cornerback depth.”

Fast forward to minicamp, and Demmings basically effectuated that Brugler prediction. He looked terrific, and Minnesota’s cornerback room is ripe for a hungry newcomer.

Demmings possesses an impressive physical profile even before he steps onto the field. Standing 6’1″, 195 pounds, and running a 4.41 40-yard dash, his measurables alone command attention for a cornerback. At Stephen F. Austin, he further solidified his resume with nine interceptions and showed the ability to cover deep routes.

His combination of length and speed is precisely what Minnesota can leverage at cornerback, particularly within a Brian Flores defense that demands defensive backs to excel in isolated coverage.

The only catch? Demmings did not really face top-tier collegiate receivers, and he occasionally tends to be overly physical downfield, a habit that is quickly penalized by NFL officials.

3. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins | DL

Ingram-Dawkins represents the kind of experimental player development that sounds unconventional until Flores gets involved. Initially drafted as a defensive tackle, Ingram-Dawkins is now exploring outside linebacker or a hybrid role — an intriguing positional shift. The versatility is precisely why Minnesota drafted him. The Vikings identified “tweener” potential, and Flores likely envisions a versatile weapon to disrupt opposing offenses.

Should the transition prove successful, Minnesota could cultivate an in-house EDGE rusher, circumventing the need to pursue a free agent. The Vikings really, really need a backup outside linebacker to step up this summer.

Ingram-Dawkins said last month about switching to OLB: “I just cleaned up my body a lot in the offseason. I mean, I’m still 280 pounds. Why was it important to clean up your body? You know, just trying to make a big, big jump from my last year. You know, I feel like that was one of the things that I could work on in my game. You know, developing a core and all that, that’ll help me in my techniques with all the versatile positions that I’m playing across the line.”

“The main focus was to just clean up my body. You know, I feel like that could only help me with how versatile I’m using, I’m being used across the line with all positions. You know, I just feel like I can play all around the line and wherever they wanna plug me and play me. That’s — I’m gonna just put my all into that.”

Wouldn’t you know it? At minicamp, Ingram-Dawkins saw most action on the EDGEs of the defensive line.

4. The Thomas Safeties

This gets confusing, so pull up a chair.

Minnesota drafted Miami’s Jakobe Thomas in Round 3 two months ago — the first installment of the Jonathan Greenard trade. Another 3rd-Rounder is on the way next year. Meanwhile, the Vikings also signed safety and undrafted free agent Jacob Thomas from James Madison.

Both Thomases did their part at minicamp; there’s a decent chance that a ‘J. Thomas” puts his thumbprint on the 2026 Vikings.

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

Erling Haaland (l), and Indian U-17 side which played against Norway in 2016

Ten years ago, an Indian Under-17 team held Norway scoreless in the first-half in a youth international game. On Sunday, one of the boys in that Norway side, Erling Haaland, led his country into the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals with a match-winning performance against the mighty Brazil.Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time. The striker headed in the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute before adding another before the end of regulation time to send his team through. “Maybe this will write history in Norway,” Haaland said. “Everyone just need to enjoy themselves. This is just an insane day. It’s one of the most insane days in Norwegian history. Just enjoy it, embrace it and enjoy the moment.”The second goal was Haaland’s seventh of the tournament, drawing him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot.Norway are playing in the World Cup for only the fourth time and for the first time since 1998 after missing the previous six editions. Haaland, who turns 26 on July 21, was not even born when Norway last appeared at the tournament. Today, he is the country’s best-known footballer.Following Haaland’s performance, cricket commentator Joy Bhattacharjya recalled his link with Indian football.Bhattacharjya pointed out that in 2016, Haaland played for Norway’s Under-16 team against India’s Under-17 side, which was preparing for the Under-17 World Cup. The game was goalless at half-time before India defender Sanjeev Stalin was sent off. Haaland then scored as Norway went on to win 2-0.The match report from June 19, 2016, is still available on the All India Football Federation website.“After the Indian Colts were reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute when Sanjeev earned a second yellow card for a rash tackle, Norway took the lead in the 57th minute through Erling Braut Haaland and doubled their lead in the 80th minute when Erik Botheim’s strike found the net,” it stated.“After a goalless first half, Sanjeev was red-carded in the 54th minute and India were reduced to 10 men. The Indian Colts failed to erase their deficit after conceding goals in the 57th and 80th minutes as the full-time scoreline read 2-0 in Norway’s favour.”Several players from that India Under-17 side later represented the senior national team and clubs in the Indian Super League. Haaland, meanwhile, developed into one of the leading players in world football.As Norway prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals, Indian football finds itself in a different position. Among FIFA’s 211 member associations, India are ranked 138th.