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UEFA agrees to boycott World Cup over FIFA investor plan

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UEFA called a Thursday afternoon meeting of its 55 members to discuss a response to FIFA’s plans to create a new commercial subsidiary valued at $20 billion (roughly €17.5 billion) and sell a non-controlling minority stake of it to investors.

UEFA, European football’s governing body, came out publicly in opposition to the plan within an hour of it first being reported by the Financial Times and Times on Monday.

Shortly after the newspaper reports, FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, issued a statement in which it confirmed the plan. In a later statement, it gave FIFA’s 211 member associations until September 19 to express their written support for the scheme. The proposal requires a simple majority and approval from the FIFA Council to pass. 

UEFA doubled down on its criticism after learning of the deadline, saying: “Today we have learned of FIFA’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn. This says everything ​you need to know about this plan.

Aleksander Ceferin
Aleksander Ceferin’s UEFA has been at loggerheads with FIFA for some timeImage: Mike Egerton/PA/picture alliance

It added that talks with many stakeholders showed that “there is significant and growing opposition to FIFA’s scheme. FIFA cannot to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends.”

DFB: FIFA plan ‘problematic and unacceptable’

Germany’s mass-circulation Bild paper reported that key UEFA officials including German FA (DFB) President Bernd Neuendorf had already discussed the FIFA plans via a video call on Wednesday.

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“We must not lose the fans’ support, but we are well on the way to squandering that,” he told public broadcaster ZDF afterwards. “I consider this to be extremely problematic and unacceptable,” he added.

“If UEFA rejects this request (for approval of the plan), then it is dead, because I believe that you won’t be able to find any investor who would be willing to go ahead with this project if UEFA is out.”

Bernd Neuendorf
Bernd Neuendorf can’t see the FIFA plan going forward without UEFA on boardImage: Ulrich Wagner/picture alliance

Other critics have expressed fears that the deal could lead to more tournaments, teams and matches to increase revenue and boost the value of investors’ stakes.

UEFA hasn’t been the only confederation to criticize the report. CONCACAF, responsible for North and Central America, as well as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have also expressed concerns that the proposal was made public without their consultation while the African confederation (CAF) have said they will discuss the plans next week. Members of the FIFA Council, including Neuendorf, have said they were not consulted on the latest proposal.

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FIFA: Subsidiary could raise billions ‘this year’

FIFA has said the new subsidiary, to be known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) would be valued at $20 billion and that it would aim to raise up to $4.2 billion “this year” by “carefully selecting long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests” in the company. FFE would be responsible for FIFA’s commercial rights like broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing contracts. By far the most valuable of these are those linked to the World Cup,

Under the ​plan, FIFA said it could make $10 billion available for development beginning in 2027. Each federation would be eligible for up to $20 ​million in one-time Fast Forward funding, in addition to $20 million through the regular FIFA Forward program during the 2027-30 ⁠cycle. Without ​approval, FIFA projects a development package of about $2.7 billion.

Infantino: ‘A golden opportunity’

In face of the opposition, FIFA President Gianni Infantino released a video on Wednesday evening, describing the project a “golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally.”

He added that the proposal was “part of a democratic process” and in comments directed to football fans, he stressed that “the sport they watch and love will not change.”

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Edited by: Matt Pearson

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Ja’Marr Chase launches helmet during Bengals training camp altercation

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The Cincinnati Bengals began their training camp on Wednesday, and fuses were lit almost immediately.

All-Pro receiver Ja’Marr Chase found himself in the middle of quite the brouhaha during practice, launching a helmet in the process.

It’s not clear what started the ruckus between Chase and cornerbacks DJ Turner and Jalen Davis, but Chase “jawed with the entire defense,” according to WLWT.

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Ja'Marr Chase confronts DJ Turner II during Cincinnati Bengals training camp.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase confronts cornerback DJ Turner II during training camp at Kettering Health Practice Fields in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 29, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

The Athletic also reported that a punch was thrown, but it’s not known by who.

Davis later told reporters that the skirmish was nothing more than “just competing.”

“That’s all it is,” he said.

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In fact, he even said he wanted there to be a fight “every day.”

“I always feel like the energy’s gotta be like that. It’s gotta be like that on both sides of the field,” Davis added.

Ja'Marr Chase confronts DJ Turner II during Cincinnati Bengals training camp.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase confronts cornerback DJ Turner II during training camp at Kettering Health Practice Fields in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 29, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

BEARS LEGEND BRIAN URLACHER TALKS TEAM’S LIKELY MOVE, USC SON’S COLLEGE CAREER

Davis even squared up at Chase for a split second before cooler heads prevailed.

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The Bengals defense hasn’t shown much fight in recent years, giving up the third-most points in the NFL last season and the seventh-most the year prior.

Chase was named a First-team All-Pro for the second time in as many years this past season, cementing himself as maybe the game’s best receiver. In his first five seasons, he has eclipsed 6,837 yards on 767 receptions and 54 touchdowns – an average of 113 catches, 1,490 yards and 11.8 scores per season.

Cincinnati went 6-11 last year and lost Joe Burrow to a severe case of turf toe.

Ja'marr Chase confronts DJ Turner II during Cincinnati Bengals training camp.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’marr Chase confronts cornerback DJ Turner II during training camp at Kettering Health Practice Fields in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 29, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

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This brief fight wasn’t the only news out of Cincinnati, as defensive lineman Shemar Stewart suffered an ugly-looking leg injury and had to be carted off.

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Myles Garrett and Will Anderson Jr. turn LA Rams and Houston Texans into space eaters in our weekly top-5 NFL defensive line tiers

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Welcome back to our summer tracking series, where we take an in-depth look at some of the best talent in the NFL before the 2026 regular season begins. After ranking the best offensive lines last week, we turn our attention toward the defensive lines this week.

An defensive line’s key role is to stop opposing offense’s running plays and rush the quarterback on passing plays. They serve as the first line of defense and are a critical group for ever team. Here, we rank the five best defensive lines in the NFL for the 2026 season.

Tier 2: The Elite Operators

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#5. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers boast a solid defensive line heading into the upcoming season. We have them at No. 5 on our list.

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The Steelers’ defense will be led by veteran T.J. Watt. The eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end has recorded 115.0 sacks since the team drafted him in 2017.

Moreover, with Keanu Benton, Cameron Ward and Alex Highsmith, the Steelers have forged a formidable rearguard.

#4. Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos‘ defensive line has garnered some attention in the past few seasons. They are ranked at No. 4 on our list.

Denver’s star defensive end Zach Allen, who has been with the team for three seasons, is expected to play a key role for the franchise in the upcoming season. He has posted 32.0 sacks since being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019.

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Moreover, Denver also has Eyioma Uwazurike, D.J. Jones and Malcolm Roach as a defensive line that works well in a group.

#3. Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have arguably the most balanced defensive line in the league for the upcoming season. We’ve ranked them at No. 3.

The Eagles’ defensive will be led by two-time Pro Bowler Jalen Carter. The defensive tackle has recorded 108 tackles and13.5 sacks in three seasons with the franchise.

Philly’s defensive line is also boosted by Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo and Nolan Smith Jr., all of whom played key roles in helping the team win the Super Bowl in 2025.

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Tier 1: The Gold Standard

#2. Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have become a force in the past few seasons due to their defensive line. We’ve ranked them at No. 2 on our list.

Will Anderson Jr. has grown into a key player for the franchise since Houston drafted him in 2023. The defensive end has racked up 136 tackles and 30.0 sacks in the past three seasons.

The Texans also have Logan Hall, Sheldon Rankins and Danielle Hunter that operates in a solid system.

#1. LA Rams

The LA Rams appear to have the most dominant defensive line in the NFL as we enter the 2026 season. We have ranked them at No. 1.

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The Rams acquired defensive end Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade this offseason. Garrett, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time Pro Bowler, set the record for the most sacks in a season (23.0) when he played for the Cleveland Browns last season.

With Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Byron Young filling up the defensive line, the Rams are considered on of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl.


Garrett and the Rams lead this week’s defensive line efficiency rankings. However, our list could change in the coming weeks, depending on the preseason performances and other factors. Stay tuned for our next edition, in which we will shed light on a different position on the gridiron.