The play-offs to determine the last four European teams to qualify for the World Cup kicked off on Thursday. Italy are now 90 minutes away from a return to the world stage after beating Northern Ireland 2-0, while Sweden and Poland also advanced to Tuesday’s play-off finals.

Paris Saint-Germain‘s request for their top-of-the-table clash against Lens to be postponed has been approved, handing the league leaders a full week’s rest between their Champions League quarter-final legs against Liverpool. The league authorities’ decision, however, has frustrated the Parisians’ title challengers.

Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev will face off again in Friday’s Miami Open final four, while the other semi-final sees France’s Arthur Fils take on Jiří Lehečka for a shot at a career-first final at a Masters tournament.

Thomas Tuchel has packed out his England squad this month with a bumper 35-man squad for friendlies with Uruguay and Japan.

Even amid that swollen squad, there’s still some serious talent that failed to make the cut. We’ve put together a best exclusion team of England-eligible names left on the sidelines this month.

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Goalkeeper: Nick Pope

With five shot-stoppers already in the squad and goalkeepers not an area of great depth for England, this was an obvious pick. Pope has 10 caps for England and is closing in on 250 appearances in the Premier League.

Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold

The headline omission of March’s break.Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of England’s most gifted talents but Thomas Tuchel is the latest head coach unsure about his credentials. The Real Madrid right-back splits opinion but boasts world-class attacking output.

Centre-back: Joe Gomez

A tougher selection at centre-back, given the also absent Levi Colwill, Jarell Quansah, and Trevoh Chalobah are all sidelined by injuries.

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Joe Gomez, a two-timePremier League title winner and owner of 17 England caps, earns the nod over the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo and James Tarkowski.

Centre-back: Jarrad Branthwaite

Jarrad Branthwaite’s international career is still waiting to get off the ground. TheEverton defender has made just one substitute appearance for the Three Lions, despite a reputation that has seen him touted for big-money moves. A regular run of games after recent injury issues should see him back in the frame.

Leftback: Luke Shaw

Thomas Tuchel has opted for youth over experience at left-back, with Nico O’Reilly or Lewis Hall the likeliest candidates for the role this month. It leavesLuke Shaw sweating over his England future, despite an important role in Manchester United‘s mini-revival under Michael Carrick.

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Midfield: Conor Gallagher

Out of the picture since last summer, Conor Gallagher returned to the Premier League in January to improve his visibility to Thomas Tuchel. However, his transfer toTottenham Hotspur has been challenging. Spurs are winless in the Premier League since his arrival.

Midfield: Morgan Gibbs-White

Morgan Gibbs-White can count himself unfortunate to have been snubbed this month. The Nottingham Forest midfielder has scored six times in his last 12 league appearances, a purple patch that has been well-timed as Forest look to escape the drop.

Midfield: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

The only uncapped player on this list but one who will be knocking on the door if performances continue. Dewsbury-Hall has thrived at Everton after a frustrating spell at Chelsea. Competition is fierce for a role but the 27-year-old has not given up hope.

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Forward: Ivan Toney

Plundering goals at a rapid rate in Saudi Arabia has not been enough to earn Toney an England recall. The 29-year-old’s scored34 times in 38 games for Al-Hilal this season but has fallen behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke in the England pecking order.

Forward: Ollie Watkins

Alongside Alexander-Arnold, the exclusion of Watkins is the decision that stirred up the most debate.

TheAston Villa forward has not been at his best this season but has been an almost ever-present in England squads in recent years.

Forward: Danny Welbeck

Dat Guy Welbz is the Premier League’s leading English scorer in 2025-26. The 35-year-old has scored 12 times forBrighton

In a major decision that will greatly impact the future of sporting events at the Olympic level, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday announced that all transgender women will be banned from participating in the women’s division of any event in the Olympic Games, starting with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

According to IOC President Kirsty Coventry, the decision to limit women’s events to biological women has been taken to keep the competition fair and safe for all athletes. She also confirmed that all sex tests conducted for athletes will be a once-in-a-lifetime assessment.

How will the IOC determine athletes’ eligibility for women’s sports?

The IOC will determine eligibility for the women’s category primarily through SRY gene screening, a scientific test used to identify the presence or absence of the SRY gene, which is associated with male sex development.

Athletes who test negative for the SRY gene will be considered eligible to compete in the female category. This test is typically conducted using a saliva sample, cheek swab, or blood test, and in most cases, it is treated as a one-time assessment unless there is reason to question the result.

IOC to consider exceptions

While confirming that the result of the SRY gene screening will be final, the IOC also said there are rare exceptions, such as athletes diagnosed with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) or certain other differences in sex development (DSDs), where individuals do not benefit from testosterone-related performance advantages. In such cases, eligibility may still be considered.

Athletes who are not eligible for the women’s category can still compete in other classifications, including men’s events, mixed categories, or open divisions, depending on the sport.

Why did the IOC decide to ban transgender athletes from women’s sports?

The IOC introduced stricter eligibility rules following a comprehensive review conducted between September 2024 and March 2026. The process incorporated recommendations from the Working Group on the Protection of the Female Category, along with broader consultations and evolving considerations in international human rights law.

According to the IOC, the policy is also closely tied to its broader objectives around gender equality and representation. These include ensuring equal opportunities for female athletes in finals and podium finishes, as well as maintaining balanced participation across Olympic events.

Gender-based controversies in the Olympics

The 2024 Paris Olympics saw two major gender-based controversies over the participation of boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting in the women’s category. Both athletes had previously been disqualified from a 2023 world championship by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after failing unspecified sex verification tests.

However, the IOC allowed them to compete in Paris, arguing that the earlier disqualifications were based on “sudden and arbitrary” methods. Notably, both boxers went on to win gold medals in their respective events.

The decision triggered widespread debate, with many raising concerns about fairness and athlete safety, while the IOC maintained that its eligibility rules were more consistent and appropriate.

The episode became a key flashpoint, accelerating discussions around clearer and more uniform policies for the women’s category in global sport.

Eligibility policy limited to IOC events only

The IOC has clarified that its new eligibility policy is strictly limited to Olympic-level competition and applies only to events conducted under its authority.

The guidelines are intended to be adopted by International Federations (IFs) and other governing bodies such as National Olympic Committees (NOCs), national federations, and continental associations — but only when implementing rules for IOC events.

This policy also replaces all previous IOC frameworks on the issue, including earlier guidelines on fairness, inclusion, and non-discrimination based on gender identity and sex variations.

Importantly, the IOC has stressed that the rules do not extend to grassroots or recreational sport, meaning local and community-level participation remains unaffected.

How have critics reacted to the IOC’s restrictions on transgender athletes?

The IOC’s new eligibility guidelines have drawn strong criticism from human rights, sports, and scientific organisations, including voices linked to the United Nations.

Critics have described the policy as a “blunt and discriminatory response” that they argue is not supported by scientific consensus and may violate international human rights law. Concerns have been raised over the introduction of mandatory genetic sex testing and rigid biological criteria, with experts saying such measures could infringe on athletes’ rights to equality, non-discrimination, dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy.

According to a media report from The Guardian, legal and academic experts, including Professor Paula Gerber of Monash University, have also warned that strict binary definitions of sex risk reinforcing harmful stereotypes and undermining progress towards gender equality.

Additionally, several UN-linked experts have emphasised that any eligibility testing should be individualised and evidence-based, rather than broad, uniform measures that could be seen as arbitrary or invasive.

The Minnesota Vikings may not have to be in a rush to lock extensions down, but a handful of players will need new deals before too long: Jordan Addison (WR), Jonathan Greenard (OLB), and Brian O’Neill (RT).

Rob Brzezinski has a few major money decisions to line up.

Now’s the natural time for each man to knock on interim general manager Rob Brzezinski’s door to talk about new money.

Minnesota’s Next Extension Wave Could Start Soon

The deals can come together as early as now.

1. Jordan Addison | WR

Addison averages 52 receiving yards per game and has banked 22 touchdowns in 46 career games. He basically hits paydirt every other game. The man is electric, with many holding out hope that he’ll bust into a new tier of stardom, assuming the Vikings have competent quarterback play in 2026 and Addison stays out of trouble.

With the May 1 deadline looming for Addison’s fifth-year option, the Vikings face a critical decision. This date carries significant weight, especially given the persistent trade rumors surrounding Addison, whether substantiated or not.

The rumors likely stem from a series of off-the-field incidents that have plagued Addison since he entered the league. In 2023, he was stopped near the Twin Cities for driving 140 mph in a 55-mph zone, citing a dog emergency. Although the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor, it generated concern both within and outside the Vikings organization.

The following year, Addison was found intoxicated and asleep in his car on a Los Angeles freeway. This deed cast a shadow over the team for months and ultimately resulted in probation and a three-game suspension.

In 2025, the issues continued when Addison missed a walkthrough in London, leading Kevin O’Connell to bench him for a quarter the following week. More recently, reports surfaced that he was removed from a casino in Florida and briefly detained for trespassing.

These behaviors, viewed together, suggest a concerning pattern. The Vikings must now determine whether Addison’s talent outweighs the associated risks.

Approximate Price per Year for Next Deal: $26m — $30m

2. Jonathan Greenard | OLB

After signing Greenard to a four-year contract in the 2024 offseason, the Vikings’ next move appears clear: capitalize on their existing investment. Having already paid his guaranteed money, Minnesota can create cap space and secure Greenard long-term by extending his contract at market value.

While his sack totals in 2025 sparked debate — 3 in 12 games — largely due to a decreased pressure-to-sack conversion rate, his overall performance remained robust, and such fluctuations typically even out over time.

Following ESPN’s Adam Schefter’s suggestion that Greenard was a player to watch in a trade earlier this month, rumors emerged that the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts were interested. However, trading a quality EDGE rusher runs counter to the conventional approach for building a playoff contender, especially when that player is already on the roster.

The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis noted on the Greenard trade sweepstakes last week, “The Vikings know they have a budding edge rusher in Dallas Turner waiting in the wings. They could also add more depth at the position with their nine picks in late April.”

“Neither makes it likely that the Vikings part with Greenard for anything less than a significant return. Anything other than a Day 2 pick would presumably be a non-starter. But the precise ask depends on a multitude of factors like player availability, pick swaps and the willingness of opposing teams to part with future picks.”

Approximate Price per Year for Next Deal: $27m — $35m

3. Brian O’Neill | RT

There’s no controversy or trade smoke for O’Neill; he’s not that kind of guy.

But the extension he signed five years ago — can you believe it’s been that long? — is nearing an end, and 2026 is actually the final year of his deal. His cap hit this season is $23.1 million, and Minnesota could extend him, lower that number for 2026 if it needs more cash to spend on newcomers, and connect O’Neill to the franchise for the rest of his career.

O’Neill has represented a beacon of offensive line consistency, even when OL operations were at a low point during the end of the Mike Zimmer era, when that regime just could not figure out how to find good interior linemen. There was always O’Neill on the right edge, holding down the fort while a revolving door of turnstile guards struggled — mightily.

The longtime Viking will turn 31 this September, and good offensive tackles can play well into their 30s. There’s no reason to believe Minnesota would offload O’Neill or let him depart in 2027 free agency for a younger option.

Approximate Price per Year for Next Deal: $20m — $25m

FORT WORTH, Texas — Hannah Hidalgo’s voice was a calming presence in Notre Dame’s huddles.

With less than a minute to play, she gathered her teammates and reiterated the same two words: “One stop.” With Notre Dame holding a one-point lead over Louisville in a March ACC meeting, she went down the line speaking to each teammate, “I need you to get me one stop.”

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But as Hidalgo has done all season, she got the stop herself.

As Louisville guard Taj Roberts dribbled at the top of the key, hoping to get into the offense and take the game-winning shot, Hidalgo began sizing up the sophomore guard. Everything began moving in slow motion for the Notre Dame All-American, her eyes locked onto the ball and each dribble triggered a thought from her. She picked up the cadence of Roberts’ handle and knew that once Roberts turned around, she was going to go for the steal.

It took 11 dribbles and two trips to the left and right side of the arc before Roberts turned. Hidalgo didn’t hesitate. She swiped at the ball with her right hand, and before Roberts could react, Hidalgo was running down the court with the ball. She was eventually fouled and iced the game with two free throws.

“I told her right after that, I said, ‘You’re player of the year,’” Irish teammate KK Bransford said. “Like, no matter what anybody says, I know she’s player of the year, because of plays like that.”

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Hidalgo scored seven of Notre Dame’s final nine points and tallied 30 points, 10 rebounds and five steals in the victory.

It’s impossible to summarize the season that the ACC Player of the Year has had in one play, but much like she did against Louisville, Hidalgo has done everything for this year’s Irish.

When Notre Dame returned just three players from last year’s Sweet 16 team, Hidalgo knew she’d have to take a step up as a leader, but she also sets the tone on both sides of the ball. She’s the nation’s third-leading scorer with 25.2 points per game. She leads the country in steals with 189. Her 5.5 per game average is the second time she’s averaged over four steals per game. Only two other Power 4 conference players have done that even once in their careers since 2009.

She’s carried the Irish to the Sweet 16 and done it by being one of the best two-way guards in the history of women’s college basketball. Her next test is going head-to-head against the nation’s top scorer, Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, with a trip to the Elite Eight on the line Friday afternoon.

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“She has had a lot of weight, a lot of pressure, she’s helped take this group, and I had a completely new team, and got us to where we are right now,” Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey said. “And that speaks a lot to her game. She’s the best two-way player and one of the best guards I’ve ever coached.”

Ivey, who began as an assistant coach at Notre Dame in 2007, has coached Irish standout guards Skylar Diggins, Jewell Loyd and Arike Ogunbowale.

Charel Allen was an All-American in her own right during her playing time at Notre Dame. She was the first player in program history to surpass 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists and 200 steals in her career. Now, as a Notre Dame assistant, her focus is on the guards, which means she spends a lot of time with Hidalgo.

They’ve played one-on-one often, and Hidalgo’s advice to Allen was always the same: “Don’t dribble.”

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“So guess what? I don’t (dribble) around her anymore,” Allen said with a chuckle. “I try to use my size and shoot over her. I think, until you’re out there and actually going up against her, you don’t realize how quick her hands and feet are.”

Hidalgo is just 5 feet 6 inches, but she’s faster and more agile than most players on the court. She shows that on offense, especially as she attacks the basket with the ball in her hands, but it’s also obvious on defense.

A quick turn of her hips can be the difference between an opponent’s offense running its set to plan or Hidalgo going the other way with the ball.

Arguably, nobody understands that more in Notre Dame’s program than Vanessa De Jesus. The sixth-year guard played her first five years at Duke and faced Hidalgo often in conference games.

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“It’s definitely better to be on her team,” De Jesus said.

Hidalgo puts opposing offenses in conflict with the multitude of ways she can steal the ball. She can pick a ballhandler’s pockets, as she did against Louisville, or she can jump passing lanes or even steal inbounds passes. After a missed layup, she can steal the ball from the rebounder within seconds, as she did in the first quarter of Notre Dame’s first-round NCAA Tournament win against Fairfield.

“On the defensive end, it’s a whole other thing that she brings,” De Jesus said. “Just that fieriness, the relentlessness that she brings.”

Her intensity from the beginning of the game to the end makes her hard for opponents to scout.

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“She plays really hard,” Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph said. “You have a player that plays really hard, good things usually happen, and you can tell she’s been playing a lot.”

Hidalgo ranks 10th nationally in usage rate among players who have played at least 20 games. She’s third among all Power 4 conference players in usage rate, and only three Power 4 conference players have played more minutes per game.

For Notre Dame to be successful, that usage rate is about more than just one side of the ball. Notre Dame wouldn’t have 24 wins if Hidalgo were just an offensive-minded player.

“People don’t understand what it takes to be that active defensively, playing 36, 37 minutes a night,” ACC Network analyst Kelly Gramlich said. “There’s a reason why these numbers haven’t been done before, and it’s because most players of her ability, who — by the way, she’s scoring 25 a game — they exert so much effort on the offensive end that they either they don’t have enough left to put that much on the defensive end, or they just have not been as defensive-minded as her.”

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Defense has always been part of Hidalgo’s game, though.

Growing up in New Jersey, she was always the smallest player on the court as a kid, so to stay on the court, she had to lean on her defense.

In many ways, Hidalgo is a natural at reading ballhandlers because her experience as a point guard helps. But she also spends plenty of time studying ballhandlers and understanding their tendencies.

“I try (to) think a couple steps ahead of the ballhandler,” Hidalgo said.

Her big shots and acrobatic finishes may grab the headlines, but defense has always come first for Hidalgo.

“I had to prioritize something else and bring something else to the floor so that I can get playing time,” Hidalgo said. “It was just poking at the ball, and just making the ballhandler uncomfortable, especially (because) it’s hard bringing up the ball with somebody pressing you like that.”

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With just under five minutes left in the sixth-seeded Irish’s second-round upset over No. 3 seed Ohio State, Hidalgo picked up her fourth foul.

She eventually fouled out with 40 seconds left, but not before risking her in-game eligibility to get two more steals to reach eight total and set a new single-game NCAA Tournament program record, passing Diggins and Ivey’s total of seven from when she was a Notre Dame guard.

Getting the green light to even attempt that steal is trust that has been built over the years among Hidalgo, her teammates and Ivey.

“That’s her superpower, the way that she defends,” Ivey said. “There’s sometimes that she takes chances, and we have to re-take off of the chance that she takes, but the majority of the time she makes great decisions and great plays.”

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Hidalgo’s focus on defense trickles over to her teammates as well. When at its best, Notre Dame causes chaos and forces turnovers in whatever defense it’s using.

That’s because Hidalgo’s competitiveness is contagious.

“She just makes everyone want to compete 10 times harder,” Irish guard Iyana Moore said.

It’s steals like the one against Louisville that she enjoys more than making a pivotal late-game shot.

“The feeling of getting a defensive stop is just so much more pride and joy because, you know, again, that’s what I pride myself in,” she said.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Women’s College Basketball

2026 The Athletic Media Company

Paris Saint‑Germain boss Luis Enrique has been among the names linked with the Manchester United job

Manchester United have suffered a major setback in their search for a new manager, with shortlisted candidate Luis Enrique now expected to sign a new contract at Paris Saint‑Germain. According to the i paper, club president Nasser Al‑Khelaifi is eager to extend Enrique’s deal beyond 2027 – a development that leaves Michael Carrick ‘closing in’ on the full‑time job.

It’s also reported that the signing of Spanish wonderkid Dro Fernandez, secured ahead of several top European clubs, was used as a ‘sweetener’ to reassure Enrique that PSG are fully committed to his long‑term project. United are thought to have shortlisted Enrique, with interest said to come from chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.

Last week, Enrique was asked about his future during a brief interaction with a fan. The video, which went viral online, suggests the 55‑year‑old wants to stay put.

In the video, Enrique stopped his car to sign autographs for fans when one stated: “I hope you stay with PSG for a long time.”

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The Spanish manager’s reply was telling as he said: “Me too.”

The same fan then brought up United, asking: “Not at United though?” Enrique simply laughed off the suggestion.

The report also claims that Carrick is now ‘closing in’ on becoming the next permanent manager as a result, with Ineos understood to be leaning towards offering him the full‑time role at Old Trafford – albeit initially on a ‘short‑term basis.’

The former midfielder has impressed since taking over in January, losing just once and guiding United up to third in the table.

Champions League football is becoming an increasingly realistic prospect for next season, and if United do secure qualification, it would be difficult to overlook Carrick.

While no decision is expected before the end of the season, it’s clear that if the club choose to go in a different direction, Enrique could already be off the table.

Elsewhere, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has emerged as another contender for the Old Trafford job. His contract is due to expire this summer after nearly three years in charge on the south coast.

Iraola has built an impressive reputation, guiding Bournemouth to 12th and ninth in his first two Premier League seasons.

Despite losing several influential players in the summer, he has the Cherries on course for another strong finish – currently sitting 13th and unbeaten in 11 matches.

What time is LSU vs. Duke today? Channel, live stream, TV schedule to watch women’s NCAA Sweet 16 game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A highly anticipated matchup is coming to Sacramento Friday night as No. 2 LSU and No. 3 Duke go head-to-head in the Sweet 16.

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LSU’s powerhouse offense will face a worthy opponent as they prepare for the Blue Devils in the regional semifinal. The Tigers are playing some of their best basketball right now, though, and Kim Mulkey’s squad already defeated Duke by a margin of nearly 20 points back in December.

Duke enters the Sweet 16 on the heels of a dominant 69-46 win over Baylor in the second round. Delaney Thomas led the squad in that matchup with 17 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks on the night. The Blue Devils’ defense is rock-solid — can they use it to their advantage for a win in Sacramento?

Who will secure their bid in the Elite Eight?

Here’s everything you need to know about LSU vs. Duke women’s basketball, including TV channel and streaming options for the Sweet 16 matchup.

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What channel is LSU vs. Duke on today?

LSU vs. Duke will be available to watch on ESPN.

Fans looking to stream LSU vs. Duke can watch live on the ESPN app, which will carry every NCAA women’s basketball tournament game in 2026.

Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, plus SportsCenter, First Take, and all your favorite ESPN shows—anytime, anywhere—only in the new ESPN app.

Fans can also stream the game via Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers so you can try before you buy.

LSU vs. Duke start time

• Time: 10 p.m. ET | 9 p.m. CT | 7 p.m. PT

The NCAA women’s tournament game between LSU and Duke is set to tip off at 10 p.m. ET from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Under head coach Kim Mulkey, LSU has reached four consecutive Sweet 16 rounds. This year will mark the program’s 18th time in the regional final.

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Meanwhile, Duke is tallying their 19th Sweet 16 appearance in Sacramento, and their third under head coach Kara Lawson.

LSU vs. Duke radio coverage

Listen to LSU vs. Duke in the 2026 NCAA women’s basketball tournament live on the SiriusXM app.

New subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.

Women’s March Madness bracket 2026

Check the Sporting News women’s NCAA Tournament live bracket for the latest final scores and next-round matchups.

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When is the Women’s Final Four in 2026?

• Location: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix

The 2026 Women’s Final Four is set for April 3 and 5 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. The semifinals will be played Friday night and the national championship game is set for Sunday afternoon.

Women’s March Madness tournament schedule 2026

Here is the round-by-round schedule for the 2026 NCAA women’s basketball tournament:

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A collection of over 100 human rights groups have raised concerns over the ethics and “fairness” of the International Olympics Committee’s decision to use mandatory genetic sex testing to determine eligibility for future women’s events.

IOC president Kirsty Coventry announced on Thursday that eligibility for the women’s category at future Olympic events will be determined by a one-time gene-screening test, starting from the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

The committee said any athletes found to posses the sex-determining SRY gene – a gene located on the Y chromosome – would be ineligible for the women’s category, ruling out transgender athletes and the majority of those with differences in sexual development (DSD).

The IOC said the one-time gene-screening test would be conducted via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample, and would be “unintrusive compared to other possible methods”.

But experts have warned that universal sex testing for the SRY gene could cause “considerable harm to affected athletes” and is an “inaccurate test of both sex and athletic advantage”.

The IOC’s ruling followed an 18-month consultation, with the policy “based on science” and “led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart”. Coventry said: “The scientific evidence is very clear: male chromosomes give performance advantages in sports that rely on strength, power or endurance.”

The ​French Olympic Committee said on Thursday that it had “major ethical and scientific concerns for all those affected” ‌and that the SRY tests would be illegal ⁠in France under the nation’s strict bioethics law on genetic testing.

“A sex testing and blanket ban policy would be a catastrophic erosion of women’s rights and safety,” said Andrea Florence, the executive director of the Sport & Rights Alliance.

“Gender policing and exclusion harms all women and girls, and undermines the very dignity and fairness the IOC claims to uphold. Our concerns are compounded by the fact that the IOC also seems to be, at the same time, divesting from the safe sport infrastructure that actually provides protection for women and girls.”

The Sport & Rights Alliance, along with over 100 other allied organisations, called on the IOC to abandon its plans to mandate genetic sex testing and warned the policy “would constitute an astounding rollback on gender equality and set women’s sport back 30 years”.

Payoshni Mitra, executive director of Humans of Sport, said: “Requiring women and girls to undergo mandatory genetic screening just to participate in sport would revive a practice that – even if it’s a ‘one-time test’ – violates women’s and girls’ privacy, exposes them to extreme public scrutiny, humiliation, and opens a pathway to medically unnecessary interventions.

“People often forget that child athletes compete at the Olympics and international competitions – this policy would cause massive safeguarding risks by requiring young women and children’s bodies to be investigated and their intimate health information disclosed, potentially leading to permanent harm to their dignity, mental health, and safety.”

The IOC ‌did not foresee a major problem ​with the legality issue. “Based on (International Federation) experience, genetic screening for ‌sex does not create significant problems in practice,” the ​policy document read. It is legal in most countries, and athletes from the countries where it is not permitted can lawfully be tested elsewhere.”

The new rules have no retroactive power and have no impact on grassroots or amateur sports.

Includes reporting from Reuters