France’s bid to reach their third successive FIFA World Cup final ended in heartbreak as they went down 0-2 to Spain in the first semifinal of the FIFA World Cup 2026 earlier this week.

Now, in a big shake-up ahead of their third-place playoff against England on Sunday, media reports say former France player and Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane may assume the role of France’s next head coach, replacing Didier Deschamps once the current edition of the FIFA World Cup is concluded.

Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news through a post on his Instagram page. “Zinedine Zidane will be France’s next head coach, never in doubt since November as a clear decision was made. Zidane has already sorted his staff and the documents will be formally signed this month,” Romano claimed in the video.

Romano added that Zidane is expected to lead France through the UEFA Nations League, Euro 2028, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

While Romano’s update has fuelled fresh speculation, the French Football Federation (FFF) has not yet officially announced any such move.

Check the full video here:

The biggest indication came in March this year when ESPN reported that Zidane had reached a verbal agreement with the FFF to become France’s next head coach after the 2026 World Cup.

A glittering coaching career at Real Madrid

While Zidane’s managerial career has been relatively short, it has been remarkably successful. Appointed Real Madrid manager in January 2016, he immediately transformed the Spanish giants into Europe’s dominant force by guiding them to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018 — an achievement no manager has matched in the competition’s modern era.

Across two spells in charge, Zidane won 11 major trophies, including two La Liga titles, two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups. Beyond the silverware, he earned widespread praise for his calm leadership and exceptional man-management, successfully handling a dressing room featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos, and Toni Kroos.

Those qualities are expected to prove invaluable with a France squad packed with world-class talent and led by Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, besides a new generation of emerging stars.

Why France was always Zidane’s destination

Unlike many of Europe’s elite managers, Zidane has never hidden where he ultimately wanted to coach. Since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, his name has been linked to some of the biggest jobs in club football, including Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Juventus and Bayern Munich. Yet he has repeatedly chosen to stay out of that race, further fuelling the belief that he was waiting for the FFF’s call to duty.

The French legend himself has done little to dismiss that notion. Speaking in 2022, Zidane described coaching Les Bleus as “a dream”, saying: “Of course, it’s a dream. I can’t wait.” More recently, he reiterated his ambition by adding: “When the opportunity comes, it will be with great pleasure.” Those remarks only reinforced the widespread belief that succeeding Deschamps had always been his preferred goal.

His connection with the national team extends far beyond coaching aspirations. Zidane remains one of the greatest players in French football history, having inspired France to their maiden FIFA World Cup title in 1998 before leading them to UEFA Euro 2000 glory.

For many supporters, Zidane taking charge of Les Bleus will represent the natural final chapter in a career that has already conquered football as both a player and a club manager.

The Deschamps era: Fourteen years of consistency

Regardless of the outcome against England in the third-place playoff, Deschamps will leave behind one of the finest managerial legacies in international football. Appointed in 2012 following France’s disappointing Euro campaign, he rebuilt a fractured national side into one of the world’s most consistent tournament teams.

Under Deschamps, France won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, finished runners-up at Euro 2016 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, lifted the UEFA Nations League in 2021 and reached at least the semifinals in five of the seven major tournaments they contested.

He also became only the third individual to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach, having captained France to glory in 1998 before repeating the feat from the dugout two decades later.

Despite criticism over his pragmatic style of play, Deschamps consistently delivered results and restored France to the top echelons of international football.

What awaits Zidane with Les Bleus

Should his appointment be confirmed, Zidane will inherit one of the most talented squads in world football but also one burdened with enormous expectations. France have reached four of the last five World Cup semifinals and two of the last three finals, making anything less than major silverware a disappointment.

His immediate challenge will be to build on the foundations laid by Deschamps while giving this gifted generation a fresh tactical identity. With Mbappe entering his prime, supported by William Saliba, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Olise, Dembele, and several emerging youngsters, France are not short on quality for every major title over the next four years.

Zidane’s exceptional record at Real Madrid suggests he has the pedigree to manage elite players and thrive under pressure. Nonetheless, succeeding the longest-serving and one of the most successful coaches in France’s history will be no cakewalk. If confirmed, his tenure will begin with the UEFA Nations League before attention shifts to Euro 2028 and, ultimately, the 2030 FIFA World Cup — a tournament many hope will mark the beginning of another golden chapter for Les Bleus under one of their greatest-ever footballers.

File Pic: Lovlina Borgohain and Mirabai Chanu (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Weightlifting star Mirabai Chanu and boxing ace Lovlina Borgohain will lead the 124-member Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on July 23.Olympic medallists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain will carry India’s hopes and the Tricolour at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) named the decorated duo as the country’s flag and baton bearers on Saturday.The opening ceremony of the scaled-down edition of the Commonwealth Games will take place at the OVO Hydro on July 23, where the two accomplished athletes will lead India’s 124-member contingent into the arena.Announcing the decision, IOA president PT Usha said the honour reflected the outstanding contributions both athletes have made to Indian sport.“It is a matter of pride Mirabai and Lovlina will be doing the honours at the OVO Hydro. I wish both the girls and the entire contingent good luck,” Usha said in a statement. “It is a matter of pride two women have been chosen to do the honours for Team India at the opening ceremony, which will set the tone and tenor for the Games.”

Two of India’s biggest medal hopes

Mirabai and Lovlina head to Glasgow not only as India’s ceremonial leaders but also among its strongest medal contenders.Mirabai, who won Olympic silver in the women’s 49kg category at the Tokyo Games in 2021, has been the face of Indian weightlifting for nearly a decade. She added Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham in 2022 and is also a multiple medallist at the World Championships.Although she narrowly missed out on a medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024, the Manipur lifter remains one of India’s brightest prospects in Glasgow.Lovlina, meanwhile, scripted history by winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics before becoming world champion in 2023. She also claimed silver at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and enters the Commonwealth Games as one of India’s leading boxing medal hopes.Usha praised both athletes for consistently delivering on the biggest stages.“Both Mirabai and Lovlina have time and again proved themselves in the international arena for India. They are at present training in right earnest for the Games in the United Kingdom,” she said.

India sends 124-member contingent

Earlier this week, the IOA officially flagged off the Indian contingent while unveiling the ceremonial and competition kits for the Games.India will be represented by 124 athletes, including both able-bodied and para-athletes, across 10 disciplines, including athletics, boxing, weightlifting, cycling, gymnastics, judo, lawn bowls and swimming, along with several para-sport events.The contingent will be led by Chef de Mission Rohit Rajpal and Deputy Chef de Mission Ravi Bengani as India looks to continue its rich Commonwealth Games legacy.

When the Seahawks‘ rookies reported to training camp on Friday, the highest-profile player in the group was first-round running back Jadarian Price, who projects to have a very big role as a rookie.

Price will obviously get a lot of carries after last year’s leading rusher, Kenneth Walker, left Seattle in free agency, and last year’s second-leading rusher, Zach Charbonnet, suffered a torn ACL in the divisional round of the playoffs. But Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said Price will contribute more than just running the ball.

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“We’re going to run wide zone and he’s going to run wide zone,” Macdonald said, via Seahawks.com. “We’re going to run some gap scheme. He’s going to run some of that too and then the pass game he can come alive, too. I think that’s part of our offense in general, that we can take another step in including our halfbacks in the pass game. Then, he’s a great special teams player as well. The kick return stuff, we’ll see how it shakes out in other phases, but he’s going to come in and compete with the rest of the guys.”

NFL teams rarely make their starting running back a kick returner, but Price was a big-play kickoff returner at Notre Dame, returning 22 kickoffs for 794 yards (an average of 36.1 yards per return) and three touchdowns. The Seahawks believe Price will make a lot of plays with the ball in his hands, and they want to give him every opportunity to have the ball in his hands.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts just wants to be a baseball player, not a political figure or a political vehicle for people to push their agendas.

Betts, 33, visited the White House after the Dodgers won the World Series in 2024, but will not be going this year. The four-time World Series champion said he just had a baby and wanted to spend time with his family, and insisted the decision was not politically motivated.

The American League MVP winner questioned why athletes are viewed as political figures in today’s day and age.

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Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts looks on in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)

“I don’t know why the world sees athletes as these political figures or these people that can make change or these people that can do this, that, and the other. We go out and play our sport,” Betts told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.

“I’m sure there are some guys in there that that love politics and want to be in it, but I’m not sure why the world sees us that way. But it kind of is what it is.”

The eight-time All-Star said athletes are in a tough position when it comes to visiting the White House because someone is guaranteed to be upset with the decision.

“Athletes, we’re in positions where, you know, especially myself, where I’m kind of damned if I do or damned if I don’t,” Betts told Fox News Digital in an interview on behalf of LGND, his glove company.

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President Donald Trump and Mookie Betts shake hands in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, April 7, 2025. Trump is hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers to celebrate their 2024 World Series victory. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Knowing that backlash will come regardless of his decision, Betts decided to do what was best for him and his family.

“So instead of trying to make other people happy, it’s let me just make myself happy, you know, make myself happy and get to spend some time with my family. Like I said, I got a new baby, so get to spend some time with her,” Betts continued.

“I don’t really worry about it too much. Like I said, my stance is really that if I’m going to make everybody mad, make somebody mad, then at least I’m gonna make myself happy. So, that’s where I’m at.”

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Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is greeted by first base coach Chris Woodward after hitting an RBI single during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. (William Liang/Imagn Images)

Betts is in the 13th season of his illustrious career but has struggled this year compared with previous seasons. The Nashville native is a career .288 hitter with 302 home runs and 944 RBIs, but is hitting just .235 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs this season.

The six-time Gold Glove winner will look to get back on track in the second half and help lead the Dodgers to a third straight World Series title.

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United take on Wrexham in their opening pre-season game of the summer and here are how our writers think they should line up:

Tyrone Marshall

The truth is United will probably pick two teams in Helsinki, with both getting 45 minutes, but who plays with who and what we can read into that will be interesting. It also makes sense to try and keep a mix of youth and experience.

Given Vitek is going to leave there doesn’t seem much point in starting him, so I would go with Heaton in goal. Kamason and Amass can start at full-backs alongside a more experienced central defence of Maguire and Yoro.

It would be good to see Santos from the start alongside one of the youngsters. I’d opt for Tyler Fletcher given he appears to be the most advanced of them.

In attack, Dorgu can start on the left and Mbeumo on the right, allowing Chido Obi to play through the middle.

Steven Railston

The headline for today’s game will be Santos’ involvement after his transfer from Chelsea. It will be fascinating to get a glimpse of him in action, and he should be supported by Collyer and Mount in midfield.

I’d give Kamason a chance to show what we can do at right-back. He enjoyed a brilliant 2024/25, but his momentum was halted by an injury last term and hopefully he can return to the levels he showed previously.

Lacey is a really exciting prospect, and coaches believe he can contribute to the senior squad this season. Wheatley may have been forgotten about by some, but he has all the ingredients to be a top striker and should be given a start down the middle.

The 2026 British Open cut has been made, and now the action continues on Saturday at Royal Birkdale as competitors inch closer to the Claret Jug. If you’re wondering what channel the British Open is on Saturday, we have you covered. Here’s the full 2026 British Open Saturday TV schedule and streaming information.

What channel is British Open on Saturday?

NBC and USA will offer TV coverage for Saturday’s third round of the 2026 British Open. USA opens the early coverage at 5 a.m. ET with a two-hour telecast. After that, NBC will take over for a long third-round broadcast from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. ET.

Online streaming options are also available for Round 3 of the British Open via Peacock, including featured group coverage and a live simulcast of NBC’s broadcast. Golf Channel Mobile will stream USA’s coverage.

Below you will find more detailed information on how to watch the third round of the 2026 British Open.

How to watch British Open on TV Saturday

NBC and USA will provide TV coverage for Round 3 of the 2026 British Open, with USA’s coverage running from 5-7 a.m. ET and NBC’s broadcast running from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. ET.

How to stream British Open online Saturday

You can stream the third round of the 2026 British Open on Saturday via Peacock, including featured group coverage and more. Peacock will also offer a live simulcast of NBC’s coverage from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. ET. USA’s telecast can be streamed via Golf Channel Mobile.

2026 British Open Round 3 tee times (All times ET)

Tee No. 1

4:10 a.m. – Jack McDonald, Russell Henley
4:20 a.m. – Min Woo Lee, Ryo Hisatsune
4:30 a.m. – Jose Luis Ballester Barrio, Kazuki Higa
4:40 a.m. – Marcus Plunkett, Naoyuki Kataoka
4:50 a.m. – Peter Uihlein, Brooks Koepka
5:00 a.m. – Aldrich Potgieter, Keegan Bradley
5:10 a.m. – Alex Noren, Alex Smalley
5:20 a.m. – Rickie Fowler, Max Homa
5:30 a.m. – Ryan Fox, Xander Schauffele
5:45 a.m. – Kristoffer Reitan, Marco Penge
5:55 a.m. – Casey Jarvis, Kurt Kitayama
6:05 a.m. – Laurie Canter, Sahith Theegala
6:15 a.m. – Michael Brennan, Eugenio Chacarra
6:25 a.m. – Eric Cole, MJ Daffue
6:35 a.m. – Kazuma Kobori, Nick Taylor
6:45 a.m. – Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama
6:55 a.m. – Ben Griffin, Hennie du Plessis
7:10 a.m. – Andy Sullivan, Patrick Cantlay
7:20 a.m. – Jacob Bridgeman, Rory McIlroy
7:30 a.m. – Jesper Svensson, Shaun Norris
7:40 a.m. – John Parry, Michael Thorbjornsen
7:50 a.m. – Jordan Smith, Sungjae Im
8:00 a.m. – Matthew Southgate, Nico Echavarria
8:10 a.m. – Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Collin Morikawa
8:20 a.m. – Adam Scott, Chris Gotterup
8:35 a.m. – Patrick Reed, Johnny Keefer
8:45 a.m. – Corey Conners, Sepp Straka
8:55 a.m. – Tyrrell Hatton, Victor Perez
9:05 a.m. – Daniel Brown, Cameron John
9:15 a.m. – Ludvig Åberg, Shane Lowry
9:25 a.m. – JJ Spaun, Pierceson Coody
9:35 a.m. – Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood
9:45 a.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Francesco Molinari
10:00 a.m. – Alex Fitzpatrick, Robert MacIntyre
10:10 a.m. – Thomas Detry, Bud Cauley
10:20 a.m. – Matt Wallace, Si Woo Kim
10:30 a.m. – Bryson DeChambeau, Sam Burns
10:40 a.m. – Ryan Gerard, Cameron Young
10:50 a.m. – Jackson Suber, Lucas Herbert

Sterling Alexiou’s main reservation about General Salute’s upcoming attempt to secure the Sydney season’s final black-type prize, following his recent Winter Stakes success, has been negated by an overnight rain deluge.

The gelding’s four career triumphs have all occurred on rain-affected going. With Rosehill initially assessed as a soft 5 earlier in the week, Alexiou had harboured concerns that the surface might not be compliant enough for General Salute’s preferences.

However, subsequent to a significant drenching on Thursday night, the track was categorised as a heavy 9 on Friday, thereby alleviating Alexiou’s anxieties.

“Possibly back to drier ground on Saturday would have been the only negative I could see,” Alexiou commented. “A lot of his best form is on soft tracks.”

General Salute’s victory in the Winter Stakes (1400m) marked the end of a 15-month winless period, during which he had secured placings in six of his seven starts, including a second-place finish to Autumn Glow in the preceding year’s Theo Marks Stakes (1300m).

Indeed, General Salute has managed to achieve a top-three finish in 12 of his 18 professional appearances. Should he manage another win in Saturday’s Listed Winter Challenge (1500m), his prize money accumulation will edge closer to the $1 million mark.

“It was good to see him bounce back, and bounce back into the winner’s stall,” Alexiou said. “He’s held his own in terms of what he’s shown us at home since that win. It’s a nice start from the 1500 so it should give Nash (Rawiller) options from a middle-draw in a big field.

“If he can get a good spot, he’ll run his usual honest race and be a good winning chance.”

A strong performance would not only serve as the ideal conclusion to General Salute’s rewarding winter campaign but would also position him for consideration towards a Group 1 target.

Having demonstrated capability up to 1400m, he finished second to Transatlantic in his sole other outing beyond that trip. If he can maintain his strength over 1500m on Saturday, a campaign towards the Epsom Handicap (1600m) will be evaluated.

“The idea of running him at 1500 is to give us a platform to see if he’s going to run a strong mile,” Alexiou explained. “If we think he might, he could be a lightweight Epsom chance.”

Consider the betting markets for the race at the Winter Challenge.