A team of North Korean footballers who made history by crossing the border into South Korea earned a victory to take them into the Asian Women’s Champions League final.
Naegohyang won 2-1 in their semi-final against South Korea’s Suwon – with emotional scenes at the final whistle, as several of the victorious players sobbed with joy.
The match marked the first time athletes from the north have visited the south since 2018.
Second-half goals from Choe Kum-ok and Kim Kyong-yong won the game, following Haruhi Suzuki’s 49th-minute opener for Suwon, and sent Naegohyang to the final in their first year in the competition.
Advertisement
Suwon were awarded a penalty late in the semi-final after a video assistant referee review, but former Chelsea captain Ji So-yun put her effort wide.
“We believed in our team’s ability,” said Naegohyang’s Choe.
“Every player’s role is important, but things didn’t go well for us in the first half.
“Once we got into the second half, we found our rhythm and I think the game flowed much better for us.”
Advertisement
North Korean athletes had not crossed the border since the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018, when they formed a unified ice hockey team for the first time.
Officially, there were no away supporters at Wednesday’s game – which sold out within hours last week – because because of travel restrictions between the North and South.
A large group of spectators from civic groups backed by Seoul’s unification ministry were in the stadium to support both teams, although they were mostly silent.
South Korea’s Unification Minister Chund Dong-young said the game would set a “positive precedent” for inter-Korean relations.
Advertisement
The two Koreas are technically still at war after failing to sign a peace treaty when the Korean War ended in 1953.
Attempts have been made to improve relations since, but ties between the two countries have deteriorated in recent years, with North Korea labelling South Korea its “most hostile state” and saying it would no longer seek reunification.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, however, is seeking to improve ties.
Naegohyang’s 27 players and 12 staff members will stay in the South for the final on Saturday, 23 May, against Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza at the same stadium.
With the final round of group fixtures getting under way on 24 June, it’s time to start plotting your country’s path to World Cup glory on 19 July.
But with 32 of the 48 teams advancing to the knockout rounds, new tiebreaker rules, and a table of third-placed teams to keep track of, staying across the various permutations is far from simple.
As it stands, England, sitting top of Group L, and Scotland, third in Group C, are on course to meet in the last 16 in Mexico City (6 July, 01:00 BST).
But all of that could change depending not only on England and Scotland’s performances in their final group matches against Panama and Brazil, respectively, but also results elsewhere.
Advertisement
To keep you up to date, BBC Sport has developed a predictor tool that updates in-game to illustrate the schedule all the way to the final.
With dates and times listed alongside the fixtures, planning early morning alarms and potential all-nighters across three host countries and four different time zones has never been easier.
Jun 21, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers (16) sits in the dugout against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
Two days after a dramatic incident in which San Francisco’s Rafael Devers tried to refuse to exit a game for a pinch runner, the Giants first baseman said he apologized to manager Tony Vitello.
Devers spoke publicly about the situation for the first time on Tuesday.
“Two days before that, I had told (Vitello) that I had a hamstring issue,” Devers said on Tuesday ahead of the Giants’ home game against the Athletics. “I thought that was why he was taking me out of the game. That’s why I was trying to signal to him that I was fine. I think it was a misunderstanding.
“I apologized, which was the right thing for me to do.”
The host Miami Marlins led the Giants 2-1 in the ninth inning on Sunday when Devers drew a leadoff walk. After Devers tried to stop teammate Jonah Cox from entering as a pinch runner, the umpire crew eventually put Cox on base, and Devers exited angrily.
Advertisement
Cox, 24, is a speedy rookie, while Devers, 29, is ranked as one of the majors’ slowest players.
Cox didn’t attempt to steal a base, and the game ended with a flyout and then a ground-ball double play.
Vitello termed the incident a “non-issue.”
Advertisement
“He came to me,” Vitello said. “We sat next to each other on the plane (from Miami to San Francisco), had a good conversation. … It was a good chat we had. I went through all the stuff postgame, the baserunning stuff, the hamstring, how well he’s done for us.
“As a player or the type of teammate he is and the type of competitor, how bad he wants to win, I’m good to go into battle with him anytime.”
Canada’s Alphonso Davies before a match against Qatar on June 18, 2026.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch said he does not expect Alphonso Davies to start against Switzerland on Wednesday, but he does expect the star left back to play in their final Group B match.
It would mark the 2026 World Cup debut for Davies, who has not played since sustaining a left hamstring injury while playing for Bayern Munich in the second leg of a Champions League semifinal on May 6. Bayern and Canada worked on a recovery plan for Davies, who was included on the World Cup roster and has been striving to get fit.
Davies teased during the pre-World Cup training camp that he might be ready in time for the team’s June 12 opener, but it appears Wednesday is the time he finally will make his tournament debut.
“We will evaluate what we need of him in the game,” Marsch told reporters on Tuesday. “I would like to get him into the match, for sure. And I think that he can have a big impact, both on us physically and football-wise, but also mentally, psychologically, to have our captain back, our best player back in the team. I think this is a big factor.”
Davies has scored 15 goals in 58 career caps with Canada, including the country’s first-ever goal at a World Cup at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. He is a two-time CONCACAF Player of the Year (2021, 2022).
Advertisement
However, he has not played for Canada since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during the Nations League third-place game in March 2025. He has dealt with multiple injuries since.
Davies’ return would provide a boost for a Canada team that lost midfielder Ismael Kone to a fractured leg against Qatar on June 18 that will sideline him for the remainder of the World Cup.
“It’s so much more than just what (Davies) brings on the pitch — it’s what he represents to us,” Marsch said. “So, the good news is he’s looking great, he’s in training, he looks great, he looks fit, he looks ready to go, excited. So, let’s see how things go, but I expect him to play.”
Advertisement
Should Canada win or tie with the Swiss, they would move on to the round of 32. They are currently ahead of Switzerland with a plus-6 goal differential, compared to plus-3 for their counterparts.
Canada center back Alfie Jones likely will miss his third consecutive game as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham (30), offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) and tight end Ben Yurosek (85) celebrate after a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings were not overly busy this offseason signing new players — they spent the least amount of dollars in the NFL — but the franchise does have some meaty contract extensions to hand out, or so goes the working theory.
According to the Bleacher Report, right tackle Brian O’Neill, the longest-tenured Viking if Harrison Smith does not return, should be the top extension priority. The theory also jibes with fan sentiment.
O’Neill’s Reliability Makes the Extension Case Easy
Minnesota Vikings tackle Brian O’Neill celebrates with running back Cam Akers after a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. On Dec. 16, 2024, O’Neill helped anchor the offensive line as Minnesota gained momentum during a divisional matchup. The veteran right tackle continued another dependable season in the trenches. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
BR: O’Neill Is Vikings’ Top Extension Candidate
BR’s Mo Moton defined the most important extension around the bend for each NFL team last week, and O’Neill got the nod in Minnesota.
Advertisement
Moton wrote, “O’Neill has been a model of consistency within the Vikings’ offensive line. He earned a couple of Pro Bowl nods in 2021 and 2024. Last season, the eighth-year veteran allowed just two sacks while on the field for 446 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.”
“According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, Minnesota is expected to resume extension talks with O’Neill after hiring general manager Nolan Teasley.”
It’s worth noting that extending O’Neill is not a hot take — it will likely happen soon.
Advertisement
The Production since 2018
O’Neill is an exceptional football player, evidenced by both his statistics and the eye test. Pro Football Focus data reveals O’Neill has played 7,900 career snaps — 4,840 in pass protection and 3,060 in run blocking. In 2025, he achieved an impressive overall grade of 81.6, with 76.4 in pass-blocking and an outstanding 84.5 in run-blocking, signifying top-tier tackle output.
O’Neill has also never received an overall PFF grade below 63.0 in any season. He’s that damn good.
Minnesota Vikings tackle Brian O’Neill celebrates following a victory over the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium. On Nov. 24, 2022, O’Neill helped Minnesota secure another win during a successful regular season campaign. The veteran lineman remained one of the franchise’s most consistent and dependable players along the offensive front. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
Selected 62nd overall in the 2nd Round of the 2018 NFL Draft, O’Neill has since played in 124 games, starting 120. His excellence earned him Pro Bowl selections in 2021 and 2024. For a team that historically struggled with offensive line stability, O’Neill has been a definitive solution — a live-saver, one might argue.
A No-Brainer to Extend
Advertisement
An extension for O’Neill should be a clear and non-debatable priority. He was instrumental in stabilizing the Vikings’ offensive line during the challenging 2018-2021 period, when the trenches often felt like a weekly disaster.
At 30 years old, O’Neill is not old for a quality offensive tackle either. This is not a scenario in which significant resources are being committed to a 35-year-old with declining performance. A three-year extension, for example, would align perfectly with his age and projected performance window.
While the Vikings drafted Caleb Tiernan in the 3rd Round of the 2026 NFL Draft, that does not automatically designate Tiernan as O’Neill’s immediate successor. Teams frequently draft talented players for their value. The Vikings’ evident appreciation for Tiernan can coexist with O’Neill remaining a crucial component of the team’s long-term strategy. Think of Tiernan as the “best player available” on the Vikings’ draftboard at the time.
VikingsWire‘s Andrew Harbaugh noted last week, “The Minnesota Vikings have made it a point to make sure they are protecting whoever is under center with a strong offensive line. They have done a good job drafting their bookend tackles while showing off their front office skills, while building the interior in a variety of ways.”
Advertisement
“One of those pieces is entering his final year on his deal. Offensive tackle Brian O’Neill has been around the team while contract talks go on, some have started to give them replacements in mock drafts. O’Neill does not get enough credit for being one of the better offensive tackles in the NFL. The Vikings know what they have but with a new front office now in place, it will be interesting to see how this ends up going for all parties involved.”
What about the Linebackers?
While O’Neill’s extension should be the first in line, a couple of Vikings’ linebackers need their cups filled as well.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman reacts after recovering a fumble against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild-card game at State Farm Stadium. On Jan. 13, 2025, Cashman delivered one of Minnesota’s biggest defensive plays in the postseason matchup. The veteran linebacker continued his productive first season with the Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Andrew Van Ginkel is scheduled to hit free agency in 2027, and because Minnesota traded Jonathan Greenard two months ago, it can’t really afford to lose more EDGE depth unless it has a plan to draft another outside linebacker next April. The Vikings added $23 million to Van Ginkel’s existing contract during the 2025 offseason. Perhaps they’ll do it again before the start of the regular season.
Off-ball linebacker Blake Cashman is also on deck for free agency in nine months. He recently turned 30, but inside linebackers aren’t as expensive as outside linebackers. Cashman is also a tackle machine.
Advertisement
Overall, O’Neill, Van Ginkel, and Cashman headline any would-be Vikings contract extension this summer or before 2027 free agency. It will be a glimpse into the decision-making soul of new general manager Nolan Teasley.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
One is 41 years and 138 days old. The other is 18 years and 320 days old. When Portugal played Uzbekistan in Houston, the gap between them became the largest ever recorded between two starters at a FIFA World Cup.
Before kick-off, the acclaimed rapper, real name Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, spoke to the BBC about his divided loyalties. “I’m a Ghana boy, so this is beautiful,” he remarked, surveying the bustling crowd. “Everyone keeps asking me, ‘Who are you rooting for?’, and I’m like, ‘I’ll be honest, a nice 1-1 draw’.”
He elaborated on his connection to both teams, stating: “Do you know what it is? Ghana, we need the points more than England need the points. But it’s just beautiful. It’s obviously both my heritages, so it’s a beautiful day for me.” The 32-year-old, born and raised in the UK, has Ghanaian heritage through his mother.
Stormzy described the World Cup atmosphere as “chaotic,” even admitting he had lost his sister in the crowd, adding: “I keep reminding myself I’m very blessed to be here.”
Advertisement
Following the game, he shared a series of photographs from inside the stadium, including one of him posing with the ball.
His caption expressed hopes for both teams: “Now for England to slap 3 or 4 past Panama and for Ghana to nick points against Croatia and we move forward! Grateful to of been part of a game that means a lot to me.” He also extended thanks to Adidas for “letting me bring out the Trionda.”
The stands were dotted with other famous faces. Marcus Mumford, frontman of Mumford & Sons, posted a selfie on Instagram wearing an England jersey and was later seen watching the match with his bandmates, having played a concert at Fenway Park the previous night.
Sir David Beckham was also in attendance, spotted by American actress Alexandra Daddario. The White Lotus star, wearing an England jersey and cap, managed to capture a selfie with Beckham smiling and giving a thumbs-up from the stand above her.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, Jeremy Clarkson offered two tickets to the game on X, later sharing a humorous photo from the match, joking about the need for a hydration break due to a sliver of sunlight.
NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant‘s return to Delhi Capitals has been one of the biggest moves ahead of the new IPL 2027 season, and DC captain Axar Patel has already made it clear that the wicketkeeper-batter will have complete freedom when he rejoins the franchise.Pant returned to Delhi Capitals in a high-profile trade completed on Tuesday. The move saw Pant head back to his former franchise for Rs 15 crore, while spinner Kuldeep Yadav moved to Lucknow Super Giants. Pant had joined LSG for a record Rs 27 crore before IPL 2025 but endured two disappointing seasons with the franchise.In a video shared by Delhi Capitals, Axar spoke about his relationship with Pant and stressed that there would be no extra pressure on the former DC captain.“Bas mujhe itna pata hai ki usko full freedom milegi as a captain meri taraf se. Hamara relationship waise bhi captain aur player wala kabhi nahi raha. Jab woh yahan tha, woh mera bhi captain tha aur us waqt woh mujhe lead kar raha tha. Hamare beech kabhi aisa nahi raha ki main captain hoon aur jo main bolunga wahi karna hai. Hum hamesha mutual understanding ke saath kaam karte the (All I know is that he will have complete freedom from my side as captain. Our relationship has never really been that of a captain and player. When he was here, he was my captain too and he was leading me at that time. It has never been a case of me being the captain and him having to do exactly what I say. We have always worked with mutual understanding),” Axar said.Axar said both players understand each other’s roles and responsibilities, having spent several years together at the franchise.“Usko bhi pata hai ki woh ek senior player hai. Mujhe bhi pata tha ki main ek senior player hoon. Hamare beech hamesha yeh mutual understanding rahi hai ki kisi bhi situation mein woh kya kar sakta hai aur kya nahi kar sakta. (He knows that he is a senior player, and I knew that I was a senior player too. We have always had a mutual understanding about what he can do and what he cannot do in a particular situation),” he said.Pant is returning to a team where he played 111 matches between 2016 and 2024. He also captained Delhi Capitals from 2021 to 2024 and remains one of the franchise’s most popular players.Axar believes Delhi remains Pant’s home and said neither he nor the franchise expects anything extra from the star batter.“Aur as a friend and captain, main usko bas itna hi kehna chahunga ki us par koi extra pressure nahi hai. Na meri taraf se aur na hi franchise ki taraf se. Yeh uska ghar hai. Woh yahan pehle bhi khel chuka hai aur kaafi saalon tak khela hai. Delhi uska home hai (And as a friend and captain, I would just like to tell him that there is no extra pressure on him. Not from my side and not from the franchise either. This is his home. He has played here before and has spent many years with this team. Delhi is his home),” he said.Pant’s time with Lucknow Super Giants was a difficult one. LSG finished seventh in IPL 2025 before ending at the bottom of the table in IPL 2026 under his captaincy. With the bat, Pant scored 269 runs in 2025 and followed it up with 312 runs and one half-century in 2026.Despite that, Axar backed Pant’s quality and reminded him that class never disappears.“To mujhe usko zyada kuch kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Bas mujhe itna pata hai ki usko meri taraf se captain ke roop mein poori freedom milegi. Bas khud ko enjoy karo. Tumhara jo natural character aur style hai, usko enjoy karo. Form aur baaki cheezein temporary hoti hain, lekin class permanent hoti hai. Aur tum us category ke player ho. Hamari taraf se tumhe poori freedom hai. Bas apna game khelo aur enjoy karo. Yahi mera uske liye message rahega (So I don’t really need to tell him much. All I know is that he will have complete freedom from my side as captain. Just enjoy yourself. Enjoy playing the way that comes naturally to you. Form and everything else are temporary, but class is permanent. And you are that kind of player. From our side, you have complete freedom. Just play your game and enjoy yourself. That would be my message to him),” Axar said.
Goal-scoring records have been tumbling at the 2026 World Cup – and the world’s most prolific strikers have another milestone in sight.
Usually a subplot, the race for the World Cup Golden Boot is one of the main talking points at this year’s tournament as the top marksmen set a blistering pace.
The overall record has already been broken by Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, who now has 18 goals over six World Cups after adding five in two games in the United States.
But he is being chased hard by Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland – who have four goals apiece – with Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane also in the mix.
Since then, at all but three tournaments, the leading scorer has hit six goals or fewer.
Advertisement
Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, has been the standout performer so far at the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
He struck a memorable hat-trick against Algeria before scoring twice in a 2-0 victory over Austria, accounting for all five of the defending champions’ goals so far.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said it was “hard to explain” the genius of the veteran forward after their opening match in Kansas City.
“We are amazed with him still, although we get to see him on a daily basis and he’s been the best for 20 years,” he said. “He still pulls it off every single match.”
Advertisement
Messi’s most likely challenger, based on the prospect of a deep run in the tournament, is Mbappé, who scored eight goals four years ago in Qatar to win the Golden Boot.
The 27-year-old, now France’s record goalscorer, is just two goals behind Messi’s career total.
The Real Madrid star said, perhaps unconvincingly, that chasing Messi was not top of his mind after his team’s 3-0 stroll against Iraq in their second game.
“Leo always scores goals and always will,” he said. “So I am not looking at what he is doing, I’m just focusing on helping my team.”
Advertisement
‘They’re so inevitable’
Level with Mbappé on four goals is Manchester City forward Haaland, who has scored in his past 12 competitive appearances for Norway.
The giant forward, 25, played down his extraordinary talent after taking his international tally to a remarkable 59 goals in 52 games.
“It’s like many other things, I’m just really good at scoring goals and I’m quite lucky,” he said. “I don’t know what I’m doing. It’s just how it is.”
Germany’s Deniz Undav and Canada’s Jonathan David have three goals each and Kane and Ronaldo are among a clutch of players with two.
Advertisement
Portugal’s Ronaldo briefly stole the spotlight from long-time rival Messi on Tuesday when he became the first man to score in six different World Cup tournaments.
The 41-year-old roared, “I’m back, I’m back” after his two strikes in the 5-0 romp against Uzbekistan, which followed an insipid performance from him in their opening 1-1 draw against DR Congo.
Ronaldo, the leading scorer in men’s international history, with 145 goals, said: “I always arrive, even if it’s later, but I’m there.”
Kane, whose six goals won him the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, is stuck on two after missing a golden chance during England’s goalless draw against Ghana on Tuesday.
US striker Folarin Balogun, who has netted twice, has set his sights on matching the world’s elite but realises he has a tough act to follow.
On June 23, 2026, former NCT member Mark Lee’s photos were shared on social media, wearing a t-shirt with the Confederate flag. The images originated from his new label Upper Room’s Instagram story, which posted them from a fan event at a cafe before deleting the post.
The controversy centers on the Confederate flag, a symbol tied to the Confederate States of America, which fought to preserve slavery during the American Civil War. Historians widely regard the flag as a symbol linked to slavery, white supremacy, and racism.
Advertisement
This has led to widespread backlash, as Mark Lee was born in Canada and has prior experience living and working in the United States as part of NCT. He left NCT and SM Entertainment in April 2026. He then established his solo label, Upper Room, earlier in June 2026. Following the backlash, Upper Room issued a statement on Instagram Stories apologizing for the incident.
This development has led to discussions among internet users about symbol awareness and accountability for international artists. Many questions about how Mark Lee was unaware of it despite being born in Canada and living in the United States.
One X user said:
“He didn’t know what it means is the weakest excuse in the book. Especially with the fanbase he has. This one’s actually crazy.”
He didn’t know what it means is the weakest excuse in the book. Especially with the fanbase he has. This one’s actually crazy.
Advertisement
More users came forward criticizing Mark Lee.
“He didn’t know the meaning behind it” babes he’s 26 going on 27, was born in Canada and lived in the United States… he knew.
They learn about this in Canada right? GENUINELY curious so don’t come for me. I know they’re American too, but since we didn’t go into a lot of detail about it in school (yet we’re still told who was right and wrong) I’m wondering if Canadian schools talk about it. Assuming they would cause we’re so close, but idk. Glad he apologized but yikes….not a good look 😣
The concept of being born in North America and acting like you don’t know what this shirt means
Advertisement
More users shared their opinion on the same. On the other hand, some Mark Lee fans have also shared their thoughts.
no because he’s literally canadian, you cannot convince me he doesn’t know what that racist shirt meant like stop making excuses for him
It was an accident. He already apologized:
How does this stuff keep happening? Who would think this is a good idea? You’re telling me NO ONE there knew or even had a thought to look it up?
Advertisement
Mark Lee’s agency Upper Room issues an apology
Upper Room statement on Instagram story (Image via Instagram/@uprmlabel)
On June 23, 2026, his label, Upper Room, issued an apology on Instagram stories. The label described the shirt as a vintage item selected for its aesthetic. They noted efforts to avoid showing the symbol in official content and acknowledged the oversight.
In the statement, they stated:
“We would like to extend our sincere apologies for the concern, discomfort and disappointment caused by the vintage T-shirt that appeared in a recently shared photograph. The garment was selected solely as a vintage wardrobe item.”
They continued:
“However, upon recognizing the historical significance and sensitivity associated with the symbol displayed on the T-shirt, we took measures to ensure that it would not be visible in any official content. Regardless of intent, we acknowledge that this issue should have been handled with greater caution and care. We take full responsibility for this oversight.”
It stated that both the label and Mark reject racism, hate, discrimination, or intolerance. They also said that they are committed to stronger review processes for wardrobe and content in the future.
Upper Room concluded by saying that they would take “greater responsibility” moving forward.
Washington has been surging (again) on the recruiting trail. 
You must be logged in to post a comment Login