Deschamps is one of only three people to win the World Cup as a player and manager – alongside Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and West Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer.

His longevity as manager is also rare in the current era – having led the national team for 14 years.

He won 20 of his 26 World Cup games as France boss, only losing three times – including this defeat by Spain in Texas.

As a player or manager he was involved in over half of the games France have ever won at World Cups – and the only two times they have lifted the trophy.

Only three teams before now have reached the quarter-finals at least in four successive tournaments.

They lost to Argentina on penalties in the 2022 final, coming desperately close to being only the third team to retain the World Cup.

More might have been expected from this side with joint tournament top scorer Kylian Mbappe, plus Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and rising star Michael Olise of Bayern Munich, in front of an established defence and midfield.

“There was extra motivation for all the players at this World Cup to give Didier the ending he wanted, and deserved,” said former France striker and BBC pundit Olivier Giroud.

“He deserved to exit by the big door. He did not quite manage that but he is still a great, for what he has already done in his 14 years.

“His record does the talking for him.”

Giroud, who won the 2018 World Cup under Deschamps, added: “I think he is like a second father for some players, like a second dad.

“For me it was not quite like that, but he gave me so many times his confidence, and I tried to repay him on the pitch.

“This makes us very close and because we won that World Cup, we are linked forever.

“I always call him coach.

“When you are in the national team, you don’t have much time to work on tactics and each manager has their philosophy.

“For Didier, his was more like ‘you are big players, I leave you some freedom on the pitch’. He gave some instructions too of course, to keep the balance, so you always knew where each player would be.

“The biggest thing he taught us was his desire, and his drive and ambition to be the absolute best and to win every single game. His competitive mindset was so clear.”

Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup final after producing a disciplined and impressive performance to beat tournament favourites France 2-0 at Dallas Stadium.

Luis de la Fuente’s side combined solid defending with excellent control of possession to end France’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final.

Mikel Oyarzabal gave Spain the lead in the first half from the penalty spot after France left-back Lucas Digne brought down Lamine Yamal inside the penalty area. The striker calmly converted the spot-kick to put Spain ahead.

Instead of sitting back, Spain continued to dominate the game. Their midfield controlled possession, while their defence gave France’s dangerous attack very little space to create chances.

Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s lead in the second half after playing a neat one-two with Dani Olmo before finishing confidently at the near post.

France, who had been one of the most exciting attacking teams at the tournament, struggled to break down Spain’s organised defence. Their first shot on target did not come until the 81st minute, showing how well Spain frustrated Kylian Mbappe and his teammates.

Rodri was outstanding in midfield, breaking up France’s attacks and controlling the tempo of the game. Fabian Ruiz also impressed alongside him, while Spain’s backline remained compact throughout the match.

Spain have now conceded just one goal in the tournament, highlighting the defensive strength that has taken them to the final.

For France, the defeat ends their dream of lifting the World Cup. A mistake by Digne for the opening goal and an injury to defender William Saliba made life even more difficult for Didier Deschamps’ side, who failed to produce the attacking football they had shown earlier in the competition.

Spain will now face the winners of the second semi-final between England and Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final as they chase their second world title. France will play in the third-place play-off, which will also mark the end of Didier Deschamps’ 14-year reign as head coach.

Playes of Spain celebrate defeating France in a World Cup semifinal match on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo)

A clinical and disciplined Spain advanced to their first FIFA World Cup final in 16 years after brushing aside neighbours France 2-0 in a high-octane semifinal clash at the AT&T Stadium on Tuesday. A first-half penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a brilliant second-half strike by Pedro Porro sealed a memorable victory for La Roja, crushing French dreams of reaching a third consecutive final.The victory marked the third consecutive summer that Spain has eliminated France in the final stages of a major tournament, following their triumphs in the Euro 2024 semifinals and last year’s Nations League. Teen sensation Lamine Yamal, who celebrated his 19th birthday just a day prior, proved to be the architect of destruction once again, validating his pre-match warning that France should fear this Spanish side.Spain opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after Yamal’s sharpness caught the French defense off guard. French veteran defender Lucas Digne misjudged a header in his own box, allowing a sprinting Yamal to steal in from behind. In a desperate attempt to clear the danger, Digne kicked the teenager, prompting the referee to point straight to the penalty spot.Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up calmly and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to net his fifth goal of the tournament. The strike marked the first time either heavyweight nation had trailed at any point in this entire World Cup campaign.France, the top-ranked team in the world, struggled to find their usual rhythm as Kylian Mbappé was kept quiet by a resolute Spanish backline. Spain completely took the game away from Les Bleus in the 58th minute. Pedro Porro initiated a beautiful give-and-go passing sequence with Dani Olmo before driving a powerful shot into the net to make it 2-0.Yamal almost added a third just moments later, but his close-range finish was ruled out by a tight offside call. France threw bodies forward late in the game but failed to breach the organized Spanish defense.Spain will now travel to East Rutherford, New Jersey, for Sunday’s grand finale at MetLife Stadium, where they will face either defending champions Argentina or England. Meanwhile, a disappointed French team will head to Miami Gardens on Saturday to compete in the third-place playoff match.

Shawn Porter believes Devin Haney could force Shakur Stevenson to adapt his style, mainly by setting a pace that his more technically-gifted opponent finds uncomfortable.

The two Americans have repeatedly been going back and forth over social media, outlining their demands for a potential clash at 144lbs.

For context, Haney has verbally agreed to travel 3lbs below his preferred fighting weight, accommodating a catchweight that was initially proposed by Stevenson.

In terms of the finer details, though, it remains to be seen whether they can actually negotiate a deal, especially with Haney having been ordered to defend his title against Keyshawn Davis.

The 27-year-old claimed his WBO welterweight strap last November, becoming a three-division world champion by dethroning Brian Norman Jr with a unanimous decision victory.

But with the ‘Dream’ having missed out on the opportunity to make a voluntary title defence, he must now face mandatory challenger Davis or risk being stripped of his belt.

Alternatively, he could vacate the title and jump straight into a clash with Stevenson, who currently holds the WBO strap at 140lbs.

Either way, Porter will be anticipating a compelling chess match if they eventually lock horns, with the former two-time world champion offering a measured take on his podcast.

“I think Devin Haney is someone who can push Shakur into [being more aggressive].

“Dev is going to fight at a fast pace; Dev is going to try to control that range – the same way that Shakur does.

“It’s going to be a chess match, but Devin’s offence is going to force Shakur to be more offensive.”

Previously, Porter has edged slightly towards Haney, believing the size disadvantage to be slightly too big for Stevenson to overcome.

With Stevenson having signed to Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, and demanding the “big fights”, Haney is certainly the type of opponent that fits his criteria.

LAS VEGAS — For a cluster of players, the 2026 Summer League could wind up going like this: Try your best to make an NBA team, but when that doesn’t work out, use July as a springboard to head back to college basketball.

Is this allowed? Of course not.

Could it still happen anyway? No one would be surprised if so.

After speaking with a variety of coaches, agents and NBA personnel at Nike EYBL and Summer League, I learned they’re all bracing for such a reality. Agents of some players on Summer League rosters have been touching base with high-major coaching staffs in the past two weeks, getting temperature checks on roster situations and asking if they’d be interested in adding a 21- or 22-year-old later this offseason if the opportunity presents itself.

These types of hypothetical propositions were the biggest talking point amongst coaches on the recruiting trail last week in Vegas, and a few I spoke to, who were given the benefit of anonymity, said they would be open to it.

“It’s not a ‘could this happen,’ it’s a ‘this is going to happen,’” one high-major coach told CBS Sports.

Here’s a quick catch-up on the state of play in mid-July: With the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility rule taking effect next month (with rare exception, starting in the 2026-27 season, all athletes will have five years to play as many as five seasons), there have already been swift legal challenges from a pool of players in the 2025-26 senior class who want their super senior seasons as well. Lawsuits have originated out of Ohio, Georgia, Tennessee, California — and there will surely be more by the end of the month, even though the NCAA has been explicit and forceful that this new age-based eligibility model will not be grandfathered in for those players. None of the recent seniors who are plaintiffs in those lawsuits, so far, are former four-year athletes who are currently on Summer League rosters.

That’s not going to stop the lawyers from lawyering and the players and agents from trying to get another year and more money at the college level. (And we’re only talking about basketball here; what’s going to happen when hundreds of guys who just left college football get cut from NFL training camps next month?)

“It’s insane that we’re sitting here on July 11 and you don’t know who’s eligible and who’s not eligible,” a Big Ten coach told CBS Sports.

Why college basketball recruiting returned to Las Vegas, which is poised to become an annual offseason mecca

Matt Norlander

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This has obviously caught the attention of recent college hoops grads who are fleetingly living up the high life in swanky Las Vegas resorts this month. Many of these guys are desperately trying to somehow land an NBA contract … but most of them know they’ll soon either get cut or be sent to the G League, where the money isn’t nearly as good as it could be with one more year on a college salary.

“I don’t even know why you’d sign an Exhibit 10,” one NBA source said, citing the lowest-level NBA deal that offers the least amount of money and protection and doesn’t clear $200,000 for a first-year player.

Another NBA source said it would be stupid for any agent to advise any player not guaranteed to make more than $500,000 to sign an NBA deal before thoroughly vetting out trying to bully their way back into college next season.

College coaches caught in tough spot

The interesting twist on the coaching end is this: They aren’t eager to play a role in making a bigger mockery of college eligibility. Hilariously, some just can’t help themselves, though. A few admitted they would be compelled to support a player looking to return to college if it could better their team’s chances at winning in 2026-27.

“Ask any coach here, not one of them will tell you it’s how they want it to be,” one Big 12 coach said. “We want this option taken away from us. But if the opportunity is there, am I supposed to not listen? If I can make my team better, don’t I have to try and do it?”

There was one coach of a borderline top-25 team heading into next season who said they would not entertain the scenario — even if it was a really good player — due to the unavoidable dynamics that would change with his team if someone got paid a lot of money in the middle of the offseason to come aboard.

“We all just want the [five-in-five] rule to be the rule,” said another veteran coach, this one with Final Four experience. “We’ve already recruited the portal and have freshmen coming in. We don’t want to spend that money and then not play a guy.”

For now, a lot seems to hinge on the eligibility lawsuit out of Ohio, where 15 players were granted an injunction by a Hamilton County judge … whose ties to Xavier and Cincinnati have come under fire. That injunction is up for a case hearing in August. If the plaintiffs win and the players are awarded a bonus year, it may well be open season on hundreds of players to return to college basketball next season.

If it gets shot down, that would be a huge win for the NCAA … but it won’t necessarily stop the flow of lawsuits, just waiting for one shot to break the dam.

And if we’re getting this much action about a bunch of players with no name recognition and minimal impact across college basketball, think about the disturbance that could await with the guys who are almost good enough to make the NBA.

The most chaotic portion of the college sports offseason looms in the weeks ahead. 

Members of team Spain stand during a moment of silence prior to the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Spain’s 2-0 victory over France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final secured far more than a place in Sunday’s final. Luis de la Fuente’s side matched one of the most celebrated records in European international football, extending their unbeaten run to 37 matches across all competitions and equalling Italy’s all-time continental record. The victory in Dallas also saw La Roja become the first European nation ever to win eight consecutive knockout matches across the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship, underlining the remarkable consistency that has defined the current generation. With the World Cup final still to come, Spain now stand one result away from establishing the longest unbeaten run ever recorded by a European men’s national team.

Spain draw level with Italy after extending unbeaten streak to 37 matches

Spain’s triumph over France stretched their unbeaten run to 37 matches in all competitions, comprising 28 victories and nine draws.The streak began after a 1-0 friendly defeat to Colombia at London’s Olympic Stadium on March 22, 2024. Since that loss, Spain have gone unbeaten through international friendlies, the UEFA Nations League, UEFA Euro 2024 and now the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The achievement draws them level with Roberto Mancini’s Italy, whose 37-match unbeaten run between October 2018 and September 2021 had stood alone as the longest ever by a European men’s national team.Spain had already reached 36 matches without defeat after edging Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-finals, equalling Argentina’s run of 36 matches between July 2019 and November 2022 under Lionel Scaloni, a period during which Argentina lifted the Copa América in 2021 and the FIFA World Cup in 2022. By defeating France, they moved beyond Argentina and alongside Italy at the summit of European football history.The updated standings now read:

Should Spain avoid defeat in the World Cup final, they will move clear of Italy and become the outright holders of the longest unbeaten streak by a European nation.

Historic eighth consecutive knockout victory sets another European record

The semi-final also delivered another landmark achievement. Spain became the first European nation in history to win eight consecutive knockout-stage matches across the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.Before De la Fuente’s current side, the best sequence by a European nation stood at seven consecutive knockout victories. That record was jointly held by Italy’s 1934-38 World Cup-winning generation and Spain’s own golden era between 2008 and 2012.The current run began during UEFA Euro 2024, when Spain defeated Georgia in the Round of 16, Germany in the quarter-finals, France in the semi-finals and England in the final to lift the European Championship with a perfect seven wins from seven matches.They have seamlessly carried that momentum into the World Cup, adding victories over Austria in the Round of 32, Portugal in the Round of 16, Belgium in the quarter-finals and now France in the semi-finals to complete an unprecedented run of eight straight knockout wins at major international tournaments.No European men’s national side has previously achieved such consistency in the knockout rounds of football’s two biggest competitions.

Spain’s latest triumph reflects the evolution under Luis de la Fuente

The victory over France was another demonstration of the tactical identity De la Fuente has built since taking charge.While Spain’s legendary sides between 2008 and 2012 became synonymous with patient possession football, the current squad has blended technical control with greater verticality, aggressive pressing and direct attacking play.That balance has been evident throughout the World Cup.Against France, Spain took control in the 22nd minute when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty after Lamine Yamal was fouled inside the area. Pedro Porro doubled the advantage after the interval, finishing a flowing move involving Dani Olmo before Spain comfortably managed the remainder of the contest to book their place in the final.

Spain fans cheer before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Defensive organisation has been equally important throughout this historic run. Earlier in the tournament, Spain produced six consecutive clean sheets, while goalkeeper Unai Simón set a new World Cup record for the longest run of consecutive minutes without conceding.

One victory away from standing alone

Spain now head into the World Cup final carrying unprecedented momentum.They have matched Italy’s all-time European unbeaten record, surpassed Argentina’s modern international streak and become the first European nation ever to win eight successive knockout matches at major tournaments.Their opponent will be decided by the second semi-final between Argentina and England. Should England progress, the final would mark a repeat of the UEFA Euro 2024 showpiece, where Spain defeated the Three Lions to lift the European Championship. If Argentina advance, it would set up a clash between two of the most dominant international sides of the modern era.Victory in the final would complete an extraordinary sequence. Not only would Spain lift the FIFA World Cup for the second time in their history after their 2010 triumph, but they would also move beyond Italy to become the sole owners of the longest unbeaten run ever achieved by a European men’s national team.After already rewriting several chapters of football history under Luis de la Fuente, La Roja are now just one match away from standing alone.

As we count down to the first college football game of the 2026 season, we continue our new series: The records of each top CFB program in the West against all the others in the region.

Some schools have met many times over the years, while others are beginning new rivalries in the wake of recent realignment.

For each opponent in the table below, we provide the total games played, wins, losses, ties, winning percentage, first year played, and most recent contest.

We continue with Oregon, which has played 894 games against regional foes, winning 468, losing 398, and recording 31 ties, for a winning percentage of .541.

The Ducks have recorded the most wins (70) and have played the most games (129) against Oregon State, and have lost the most games (63) against Washington.

Here is a breakdown of Oregon’s records vs. the region’s teams.

The race for the top scorer and MVP awards at the 11th Immortality FC Pre-Season Cup has become even more exciting.

Akwa United Chairman, Mr Joseph Eno, and the club’s Head Coach, Paul Offor, have thrown their support behind the 11th edition of the Immortality FC Pre-Season Cup with cash rewards and incentives for outstanding players.

As part of his support for the tournament, Mr Joseph Eno announced that the competition’s highest goalscorer will receive a brand new pair of football boots and a cash prize of ₦20,000. He also donated ₦50,000 to support the organisation of the tournament.

Mr Eno, who owns Campgee Hotel, has continued to support grassroots football. Campgee Hotel was also one of the principal supporters of the recently concluded Comfort FM Neighbourhood Football Fiesta.

On his part, Akwa United Head Coach Paul Offor announced a ₦20,000 cash reward for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Both Mr Joseph Eno and Coach Paul Offor have shown strong commitment to the competition. They have attended every match since the tournament began, offering encouragement to the young players and supporting the initiative organised by the CEO of Immortality FC, Coach Ubong Okon James.

The 11th edition of the Immortality FC Pre-Season Cup kicked off on Monday, July 13, at the Uyo Township Stadium.

Matchday Two Results

Animity FC began their campaign in style with a convincing 4-0 victory over Tarasco Sports Club. Akaneno, Emmanuel Sunday, Samuel and Kufre Solomon all found the back of the net to seal the impressive win.

New Flame FA and Regnant FA shared the points after playing out a goalless draw in their opening match of the competition.

Hosts Immortality FC produced an improved performance to earn a 0-0 draw against Full Life FA. The result means Full Life FA have now drawn their opening two matches.

Blessed Talent FC maintained their perfect start with a 2-1 victory over Super Leggers FA. Peter Asuquo and Uwem Charles scored for Blessed Talent, while Erasmus Essien grabbed his second goal of the tournament for Super Leggers.

De Ark FA recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Artisan FA, with David Jacob scoring the first hat-trick of the 11th Immortality FC Pre-Season Cup to move to the top of the goalscorers’ chart after Matchday Two.

FC ONE Rocket also made it two wins from two matches after defeating Unity Stars FC 2-0. Prince Peter and Emmanuel Okon were on target as FC ONE Rocket moved level on points with Blessed Talent FC at the top of Group A.

Wednesday Fixtures (July 15)

Action continues on Wednesday, July 15, at the Uyo Township Stadium with six matches:
• 10am – Wilnampro FA vs Regnant FA
• 11am – Tarasco Sports vs New Flame FA
• 12noon – Immortality FC vs Blessed Talent FC
• 1pm – Full Life FA vs Artisan FA
• 2pm – Blessed Stars FA vs Macito Solution FC
• 3pm – Solo Wonder FC vs Animity FC

All matches will be played at the Uyo Township Stadium.