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Olise hat-trick rounds off France’s World Cup preparations, sends ominous warning

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It might not be Kylian Mbappé or Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembélé lighting up France’s attack at the World Cup.

Instead, it could be the discreet and unassuming Michael Olise, with his golden first touch and devastating changes of direction.

Starting when two-time champions France takes on Senegal on June 16 in New Jersey.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: All the fixtures

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The Bayern Munich winger enters the tournament in fine form after netting a superb hat-trick against Northern Ireland on Monday, taking his total to seven in 17 games for Les Bleus.

Coach Didier Deschamps fielded his first-choice side and it was Olise who stood out most in a glittering attack featuring Mbappé, Dembélé and rising star Désiré Doué.

“He’s been shining brightly this season at Bayern and he’s done great things for us. He’s brimming with confidence, he’s so decisive,” Deschamps said of Olise. “On top of that, as an attacking player he also has a remarkable capacity for hard work.”

After two finishes inside the penalty area, Olise curled a brilliant shot into the top left corner after breaking inside from the right flank with one of his sudden switches of play.

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It’s become his signature move, helping the 24-year-old score 22 goals for Bayern this season.

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France's forward #11 Michael Olise celebrates scoring his team's second goal with France's forward #20 Desire Doue (L) during the international friendly football match between France and North Ireland at the Decathlon Arena - Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France on June 8, 2026.
Cover image: France’s forward #11 Michael Olise celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with France’s forward #20 Desire Doue (L) during the international friendly football match between France and North Ireland at the Decathlon Arena – Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, northern France on June 8, 2026. © Franck Fife, AFP

Deschamps said Olise impressed him at the 2024 Paris Olympics. There, he was coached by Thierry Henry — the France and Arsenal great — and Olise’s two goals and five assists helped Les Bleus reach the final.

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Olise called the Paris Games “the best football experience of my life” because they “allowed people to get to know me”. He praised Henry for sharing his vision of the game.

But when Olise stepped up to the senior side, Deschamps said it took him “four or five” games to show his true potential because he was shy.

“He’s not a very expressive character. He’s rather introverted, but he’s very endearing,” Deschamps said.

Olise’s first international goal came on his sixth appearance, and it showcased his ability as he bent a free kick into the top corner against Croatia in the 2025 Nations League.

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London-raised

Born in London, Olise began his professional career with Reading after being released by Chelsea and Manchester City.

While playing for Reading in the second-tier Championship he was named the English Football League’s young player of the season.

He joined Premier League side Crystal Palace in 2021, and three seasons with Palace were enough to convince Bayern to sign him in a deal worth €60 million ($65 million).

Olise added goal-scoring to his superb range of passing and in two seasons at the German giant he’s netted 42 goals in 107 games, albeit in an extremely attack-minded team.

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Olise’s goals took the spotlight off another mediocre performance from Mbappé, who also failed to score in a 2-1 home loss to Ivory Coast last Thursday. 

Read moreFrance stunned by Ivory Coast in World Cup warm-up defeat

“It’s true that he had several chances and wasn’t efficient,” Deschamps said.

Mbappé has 56 international goals and needs two more to beat Olivier Giroud‘s France record.

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“He told me he’s holding back for the United States,” Deschamps said with a smile. “So that suits me.”

(FRANCE 24 with AP)

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Remo Stars Appoint Olumide Ajibolade as New Head Coach

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Remo Stars have announced the appointment of Olumide Ajibolade as the club’s new Head Coach, SportsRation reports.

Ajibolade takes over after several years of success within the Remo Stars Sports Club structure, where he built a strong reputation in youth development and team management.

He joined the Remo Stars Academy in 2019 as the U-17 Head Coach. Following the launch of Beyond Limits Football Academy in 2021, he was appointed head coach and guided the team to sustained success.

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Remo Stars have announced the appointment of Olumide Ajibolade as the club’s new Head CoachRemo Stars have announced the appointment of Olumide Ajibolade as the club’s new Head Coach

During his time at Beyond Limits, Ajibolade led the club to five TCC League titles in six seasons (2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2025/26). He also won back-to-back TCC Cup titles in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, the TCC Super Cup in 2025, and the Ogun State FA Cup in 2024 and 2026.

He also achieved back-to-back promotions with the club, leading Beyond Limits from the Nationwide League One (NLO) to the Nigeria National League (NNL) in the 2022/23 season before securing promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in 2023/24. The team capped that campaign by winning the Nigeria National League title in Enugu.

On the international stage, Ajibolade guided Beyond Limits to victory at the Viareggio Cup in Italy in 2024 and followed it up with consecutive Gothia Cup triumphs in Sweden in 2025 and 2026.

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Widely recognised for his focus on player development, he has helped nurture several young footballers who have gone on to play professionally in Europe and other parts of the world.

His appointment marks a new chapter for Remo Stars as the club prepares for the upcoming season under his leadership. His immediate focus will be on taking Remo Stars back to the NPFL.

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Dynamo transfer F Exon Arzu to Venezuelan club

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MLS Houston Dynamo striker Exon ArzuMLS Houston Dynamo striker Exon Arzu

The Houston Dynamo transferred forward Exon Arzu to Venezuelan club Carabobo FC on Wednesday.

Arzu, 22, had three goals and an assist in 15 matches for MLS NEXT Pro side Houston Dynamo 2 in 2025.

Houston originally acquired Arzu from Real Club Deportivo Espana in his native Honduras in August 2024.

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–Field Level Media

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Oscar De La Hoya names the next great Mexican American superstar: “He’s the one”

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Oscar De La Hoya claims to have unearthed boxing’s next Mexican-American superstar, who he believes has one key advantage over Ryan Garcia.

During his own fighting career, De La Hoya was undoubtedly the most popular boxer of Hispanic descent, consistently generating monstrous pay-per-view and ticket sales.

And now, as a promoter, the Golden Boy boss is confident that his rising star will snatch the mantle from Canelo Alvarez and endear himself to a mammoth Mexican-American audience.

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As things stand, the two flagship names of such heritage appear to be Garcia and David Benavidez, while Canelo remains the ultimate face of Mexican boxing.

Crucially, though, Alvarez did not fight on this year’s Cinco de Mayo weekend, which was instead occupied by Benavidez’s sixth-round stoppage of Gilberto Ramirez.

Garcia, meanwhile, will face Conor Benn on September 12, with Canelo’s clash against WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli having been pushed back from Mexican Independence Day weekend to October 31.

But while Garcia could, in theory, become boxing’s leading Mexican-American star, De La Hoya has suggested that the WBC welterweight champion’s lack of Spanish represents a slight disadvantage.

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Instead, the Hall of Famer has told Ariel Helwani that 17-year-old prospect Dylan Capetillo has all the ingredients to be ‘the one’.

“[Garcia can be the next Mexican-American star] if he wants to. It’s all about performances inside the ring; it’s all about winning world titles; it’s all about who you fight.

“And you obviously have to make the effort and speak [Spanish] – you have to care. Can he be ‘the one’? Absolutely. But I truly feel ‘the one’ is [Capetillo].”

Capetillo has won both of his fights to date, one of them coming by knockout, and he will have his third outing when he features on the undercard of William Zepeda vs Lamont Roach this weekend.

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$60,500,000 Bills star recruits Stefon Diggs to Buffalo for reunion as All-Pro WR looks for new home

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Training camp is underway and Stefon Diggs remains a free agent. The former All-Pro wide receiver is searching for a new home ahead of Year 12.

Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins took to Instagram to recruit Diggs. Here’s a look at the duo’s interaction:

Dawkins has been trying to recruit his former teammate for some time. In June, the veteran tackle revealed that he wouldn’t mind a reunion with the wideout.

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According to Yahoo Sports, Dawkins uploaded a post himself. Diggs replied. Dawkins answered back with a message that said: “It’s time.”

Dion Dawkins has spent his entire professional football career with the Buffalo Bills. The five-time Pro Bowler signed a three-year, $60.5 million contract extension ahead of the 2024 season.

Dawkins featured in 15 regular season games and two postseason showdowns in 2025. He earned his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl nod for his efforts.

Stefon Diggs endured mixed fortunes since leaving the Buffalo Bills

Stefon Diggs spent four impressive seasons with the Buffalo Bills. The shifty wide receiver was Josh Allen’s primary target during that spell, earning numerous Pro Bowl nods and leading the Bills to perennial deep postseason runs.

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The Bills traded Diggs and draft consideration to the Houston Texans after the 2023 season. Diggs was poised to help C.J. Stroud and the Texans in their quest for a Super Bowl ring.

Diggs started the 2024 season in decent form, amassing a stat line of 47 receptions, 496 receiving yards, and three touchdowns in eight games. However, his season ended in disaster as he suffered an ACL injury in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts. He missed the rest of the campaign and wasn’t re-signed by DeMeco Ryan’s team.

The New England Patriots signed Diggs to a three-year, $63.5 million contract in the lead-up to the 2025 season. Diggs amassed a stat line of 85 receptions, 1,013 yards, and four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games as the Patriots reached Super Bowl LX, where they lost to the Seattle Seahawks. The perennial Pro Bowler was released in March.

Stefon Diggs is now searching for a landing spot ahead of Year 12. The Buffalo Bills, Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts are among rumored suitors for his route-running skills.

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