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Vikings QB Room Named One of the Worst in NFL

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Vikings fans watch pregame activities before a game against the Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings fans watch pregame warmups before a matchup against the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 17, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Supporters filled the stadium ahead of one of the franchise’s most memorable regular-season contests, creating a loud atmosphere as Minnesota prepared for a nationally watched showdown against Indianapolis at home. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

If you are excited about the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback changes in 2026, mainly the addition of Kyler Murray, CBS Sports does not share your enthusiasm. That website ranked Minnesota’s quarterback group as the NFL’s seventh-worst heading into the summer.

Minnesota’s quarterback group has risk, but calling it one of the league’s worst feels premature.

It’s the latest evidence to suggest that Murray’s stock is at its lowest.

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Murray’s Track Record Makes the Ranking Hard to Defend

Seventh-worst? Really?

Kyler Murray during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Vikings QB room
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks on during action against the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 31, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Murray continued his return from injury late in the season while Arizona evaluated its long-term direction at quarterback entering another pivotal offseason for the franchise. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

CBS Sports: Vikings QB Room Isn’t Good

Garrett Podell of CBS Sports decided seventh-worst for the Vikings’ QB room ranking, explaining, “One would think the Minnesota Vikings’ signing of two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray would keep them off this list, but that’s not the case. Murray earned his Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2021. That’s a lifetime ago in NFL years. From 2022 to 2025, Murray missed 30 of his possible 68 games.”

“In the five games Murray played for the Cardinals in 2025, he averaged a career low 227.0 total yards per game. Recent first-round pick J.J. McCarthy was the worst quarterback in the NFL in 2025, which sparked the signing of Murray. McCarthy’s performance was simply incredible considering the offensive ecosystem under 2024 Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell.”

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Murray is in town on a contract worth $1.3 million. The Cardinals are paying him to play for the Vikings.

“Despite an electrifying supporting cast, McCarthy ranked dead last in the league in completion percentage (57.6%), touchdown-to-interception ratio (11-12), and passer rating (72.6). Murray could rediscover his early career form with Minnesota,” Podell continued.

“Murray is one of just four players in NFL history with 20,000-plus passing yards (20,460) and 30-plus rushing touchdowns (32) through his first seven seasons, joining Josh Allen, Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson. Week 1 starter: Kyler Murray.”

Little Faith in Murray, McCarthy, and Wentz

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Vikings fans are enthused about this year’s quarterback trio, primarily because the franchise finished 2025 with a 9-8 record, despite posting the NFL’s fifth-worst quarterback performance per Dropback EPA/Play. Adding Murray feels like a serious remedy to an even graver malady.

It’s just that the NFL populace doesn’t agree yet. It has to see Murray thrive in Minnesota to believe it. After all, a team as lowly as the Arizona Cardinals got rid of Murray in favor of Jacoby Brissett and Carson Beck. That’s pretty damning.

Minnesota now has a quarterback with something to prove in Murray, a man with upside in the 23-year-old McCarthy, and a gritty veteran named Wentz in case the other two flounder or get hurt.

The Sam Darnold Lesson

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In 2024, the Vikings signed Darnold from free agency, and fans groaned. The club was really going to embark on the Kirk Cousins afterlife with Darnold, who was certifiably the butt of jokes at the time? Indeed, they were.

J.J. McCarthy speaks with Marcus Mariota after a game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Vikings QB room
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy shares a postgame moment with Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota following the final whistle on Dec. 7, 2025 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The exchange paired Minnesota’s young franchise passer with a veteran quarterback frequently connected to offseason rumors and backup speculation. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

That offseason, though, Minnesota knew what it was doing, even if folks groused when Darnold signed on the Vikings’ dotted line. He’d later post 35 touchdowns in Minnesota, fully reclaimed his career, and after the Vikings were done with him, he went on to win a Super Bowl with the 2025 Seattle Seahawks.

Compared to Darnold, Murray starts his post-Cardinals adventure with much more proven production. Murray isn’t a punchline like Darnold was two years ago. Perhaps it’s not the best time to write off the Vikings’ decision-makers before seeing Murray’s time unfold. If they struck oil with Darnold for a season, there’s no reason to believe Murray can’t achieve the same outcome.

Browns Take the Cake as the Worst

Who has the quarterback situation in football? That’s the Cleveland Browns, says Podell.

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He wrote, “There is no quarterback room more chaotic than that of the Cleveland Browns. There’s the husk of Deshaun Watson, a quarterback who tore his Achilles in 2023 and once more in his rehab process in 2024, set to enter the final season of his five-year, $230 million fully-guaranteed contract in 2026.”

“Then you have the lightning rod that is 2025 fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders, the son of Deion. Despite being blitzed on 24% of his dropbacks since his NFL debut in Week 11, Sanders faced pressure on 51% of his dropbacks, the highest such rate in the league. Dillon Gabriel, a 2025 third-round pick, started in Weeks 5-11 for the Browns.”

Carson Wentz runs with the football against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium. Vikings QB room
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) runs with the football during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 19, 2025 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Wentz used his mobility to extend plays as Minnesota’s offense searched for momentum during a matchup against one of the NFC’s top contenders. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

All signs point to Watson starting for Cleveland in September.

“Then, there’s 2026 sixth-round pick Taylen Green, a player with so much athletic potential that fans are begging him to switch to wide receiver. It’s the final year of Watson’s contract, and if he can still move around after two Achilles tears, he’s the quarterback who has experienced the most NFL success with three Pro Bowl selections,” Podell concluded.

The Vikings’ first regular season game is less than 16 weeks away, when Murray can deconstruct the CBS Sports narrative.

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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

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Paulie Malignaggi sees only one winner in Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn: “He gets knocked out”

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Conor Benn is expected to challenge for Ryan Garcia’s WBC welterweight world title later this year, looking to claim a major belt for the first time and put an early end to the Californian’s reign. Paulie Malignaggi has weighed in on how the fight might play out.

In February, Garcia returned after a defeat to Rolando Romero to enter his third consecutive title fight and finally get his hands on a belt, trumping Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight world championship. In September, Garcia is expected to defend that belt against mandatory challenger Benn.

Speaking with Froch on Fighting, two-division champion turned analyst Malignaggi said that he has not been impressed with Benn’s recent performances, and doesn’t believe the Brit has earned his place on the world stage.

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“If his last name wasn’t Benn, he wouldn’t be anywhere near the level that he is on. Does that mean that I don’t like the fact that he is here? No. He has taken advantage of the name, he has been promoted well, he has been moved well, I don’t think that he is a world-class fighter, though.

“His best performances were around the PED suspicion, he has not looked good since, he looked bad against the corpse that was Regis Prograis. I don’t think that he is that good, honestly.”

Benn failed two doping tests in 2022, cancelling a Chris Eubank Jr fight that was not rescheduled until 2025.

Malignaggi then went on to forecast a knockout win for Garcia in his the mandatory fight, before offering some words of advice to Benn.

“He gets knocked out [against Ryan Garcia]. I look at Conor like he is so determined to show everyone that he has power after the PED suspicions., he tries too hard to punch.

“You can see it in the last fight [vs. Prograis], he is putting too much weight on his jab, he is trying to show people, ‘No, I am really a natural puncher’ – mate, you weren’t and you are not a puncher.

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“By trying so hard to be a puncher when you are not a puncher, you are going to look worse. Just snap your punches out, be that fighter and that is it. Be the boxer.”

Garcia has said that the fight will take place on September 12 in Las Vegas, however, there is yet to be an official announcement.

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Victor Wembanyama makes stunning admission about Spurs’ hunger in Game 4 collapse

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The New York Knicks outscored the San Antonio Spurs by 28 points after the Wu-Tang Clan’s halftime performance to complete the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.

Down by 29 at one point, the Knicks stormed all the way back, putting Madison Square Garden into a frenzy.

But before that, just about every ounce of momentum was in the Spurs’ hands – and the Knicks had few answers.

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Victor Wembanyama shooting a basketball against Og Anunoby at Madison Square Garden

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama shoots against New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby in the fourth quarter during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, on June 10, 2026. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

So, how did they just become the victims of one of the greatest collapses in the history of sports?

“We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half,” Victor Wembanyama admitted.

Wembanyama was once again Public Enemy No. 1 in New York, getting booed in intros and treated to expletives from the crowd. When a defensive foul on him early was reversed to an offensive foul he drew, he again was jeered. It obviously continued throughout the night.

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But after Mitchell Robinson was called for a flagrant foul for hitting Wembanyama, he appeared to relish the moment.

“I’m in your head!” cameras caught Wembanyama saying.

Wembanyama was in the Knicks’ heads. Wembanyama was in the Knicks’ fans’ heads. And after winning two games on the road to begin the series, losing all the momentum was in the Knicks’ heads.

But the Spurs scored just 30 points in the second half and turned the ball over nine times in the final 24 minutes. A 20-point lead in the fourth quarter vanished in minutes.

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OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks celebrates after scoring against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden

OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks celebrates after scoring the go-ahead basket against the San Antonio Spurs in the final seconds of the fourth quarter in Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 10, 2026. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

KNICKS OWNER, MAMDANI TRADE BARBS OVER CANCELED KNICKS WATCH PARTY OUTSIDE MSG: ‘DON’T WANT THE CELEBRATION’

“To put as much good work into that first half as we did and get the lead that we had and not finish the job, it’s disappointing to say the least…” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said after the game. “We got away from playing the brand of basketball that got us the lead. And then you saw at times, the aggressiveness and conviction that we played with early on dissipated and they made some shots. We needed a couple of more tough-minded plays to finish the job.”

“It was painful, of course. It feels like we worked too hard and give up our leads. It’s as simple as that. It just hurts,” Wembanyama added.

Now, the Spurs have no choice but to be the hungrier team, as they need to win three games in a row to avoid the Knicks winning their first NBA championship since 1973.

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“It’s going to go one of two ways: a bad one and a good one. The bad one will be giving up. The good one will be getting stronger through this, getting more together and that’s what we’re going to do,” Wembanyama said.

New York Knicks players celebrating on the basketball court at Madison Square Garden.

Members of the New York Knicks celebrate their 107-106 victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on June 10, 2026. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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“Holding each other accountable, communicating, not pointing fingers. After that, we either got it or we don’t. We’ve proven that we can surpass these difficulties but even though we haven’t been there it before, I’m convinced we are built this way. We’re going to get better from this and It’s going to tighten us up.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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The true meaning behind the ‘Trumpification’ of the 2026 Fifa World Cup

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As the 48 teams gradually arrived in North America, every image further setting a grand stage, a thought struck managers like Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti.

They were right to make the sheer scale of this World Cup more of a priority in planning. “United 2026” – as it is officially known – is enormous in every sense, from size to serious issues.

That only deepens the distinctive challenge a World Cup poses, and only elevates the meaning of victory.

A team can be brilliant and do everything possible to gear up for a four-year cycle over the long term, but the lifting of that great trophy really comes down to having everything – form, spirit, mood, fitness, tactics – just right for five weeks in one summer.

It’s really about a moment in time, and one that makes you immortal, although this time in a far greater space.

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If the classic line is that people measure their lives in World Cups, this one is so immense it’s almost impossible to quantify.

That could lead to a few other predictable lines about an American World Cup: that it was always going to be super-sized, that size will matter, that more may be less.

The most immediate numbers, at least, do illustrate this. This World Cup involves: the most ever teams, at 48; the most ever hosts, at three; the most ever venues, at 16; and the greatest ever distance between venues, at 4,780km, with all of this adding up to unprecedented astronomical cost for fans and even federations.

The avaricious ticket pricing had been the dominant controversy in a largely shambolic build-up for Fifa, but has since been overtaken by the conflict with Iran and connected visa scandals.

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So much for this World Cup being a return to the familiar after the highly politicised police-state sportswashing spectacles of Russia and Qatar.

It has instead thrown up more unprecedented issues than ever before – another one for the scales; another illustration of bloated indulgence. Such issues have only been added to by another more familiar element, which is the promise of record revenue at $14bn.

And yet one of the great uncertainties about this World Cup, which is causing nervousness at the top of Fifa, is whether all this will mean there is nothing like the record attendances of USA ‘94.

The avaricious ticket pricing has been the main controversy in the build-up to the World Cup
The avaricious ticket pricing has been the main controversy in the build-up to the World Cup (AFP/Getty)

That competition will constantly offer a mirror to this one, especially when the memories remain so vivid due to its bright lights – in football and look.

There are instead so many shades to 2026, and a real darkness. For all Gianni Infantino’s vapid claims about the World Cup uniting the world, we here have a host at war with a participating nation for the first time.

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The Fifa president’s own relationship with Donald Trump, meanwhile, weighs over the entire competition, especially with how just one decision from the US president has the potential to cause chaos.

Trump’s putative lack of decisions have already created enough chaos, since Fifa has received almost no help on anything it actually needs. So we have the farce of a long-vetted referee denied entry, and Iran forced into constrained travel around their games.

That darkness has also served to obscure otherwise uplifting elements of this World Cup, like the return to perhaps the competition’s most historic stadium: the Azteca in Mexico City.

This tournament represents a host (USA) at war with a participating nation (Iran, pictured) for the first time
This tournament represents a host (USA) at war with a participating nation (Iran, pictured) for the first time (AFP/Getty)

It was the arena where Pele and Diego Maradona created their most lasting images. Now, 40 years after the “Hand of God” and the goal of the century, it isn’t considered worthy to host games after the last 16.

Canada has, meanwhile, been the forgotten host, and even the last games staged there and in Mexico will be overshadowed by the 250th anniversary of US independence – all amid a stilted embrace with the global game.

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We will at least have a sense of the atmosphere by then, and whether this World Cup’s many issues can really allow that sense of international festival around the stadiums.

And all of this is why size is so much more than a defining detail.

The expansion affects what the World Cup is – and how it will go.

That is true of the most elemental experience of a tournament: a child’s.

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THE SIZE OF THE 2026 WORLD CUP

  • Most ever teams: 48
  • Most ever hosts: 3
  • Most ever venues: 16
  • Greatest-ever distance between venues: 4,780km
  • Record revenue estimation: $14bn

Perhaps appropriately for a competition held in the commercial capital of the world, it is possible to paraphrase one of its culture’s most famous depictions of marketing. The World Cup isn’t just a football competition, as Mad Men’s Don Draper might have said; it’s a fountain of nostalgia. “It takes us to a place where we ache to go again” – to childhood memories.

The joy of that is memorising the groups, knowing exactly what teams are where and what games are when. It is actually no trivial thing that this World Cup is far too big to even do that, long before you get to Group L.

Similarly, there are almost too many games, and that’s in one day, as much as in the tournament’s total of 104. It’s impossible to take it all in, to consume every storyline. United 2026 instead has just a wall of football, where more very much means less.

The World Cup experience is directly diluted.

That isn’t to discount the exhilaration that debutants like Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan will feel, or the release Haiti, Democratic Republic of Congo or Iraq will enjoy, but there is a serious point amid that romance.

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This World Cup articulates the disconcerting sense of a sport becoming so big you can’t get a feel for it, of a game being taken away from its community, of an elitist event where parts continue to be sold off without anyone who actually cares able to do anything about it.

Welcome to the “Trumpification” of Fifa.

The expansion may also dictate this World Cup as much as dilute it. A number like 48 just isn’t right for the tournament, because it doesn’t evenly split into an eventual two. That needlessly brings back distorting third-place group qualifiers, a convolution that Infantino was forced into after he somehow realised four-team groups were exciting as late as Qatar 2022. United 2026 was initially supposed to have groups of three.

Donald Trump holds the World Cup trophy in the Oval Office last summer
Donald Trump holds the World Cup trophy in the Oval Office last summer (AFP/Getty)

And yet it speaks to so many of these wider themes that Infantino realised it was more exciting, but evidently didn’t understand this was because of the competitive intensity that came from two going through out of four, as well as a 32-team tournament just creating the right balance between quality and novelty.

The man overseeing all of this didn’t truly get the game he was overseeing.

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It could yet create results that go against World Cup logic, too.

As an example, Argentina have been talked up as potentially winning again due to the 2022 World Cup victory coming in a run of three successive trophies. They are the only team to do that outside Spain 2008-12, but that also gives them the jaded feel of Spain 2014. Most of the team is still the same, and they won’t have the same lightning-in-a-bottle energy of 2022.

These are ingredients that leave champions ripe for a classic first-round exit… except the stage is so forgiving. Argentina may go into their last group game badly needing a win, but that comes against Jordan. The debutants are one of five sides considered forgiving opposition, and the presence of any one in a group gives the other three in it a huge advantage in this system.

One win and you’re likely through.

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To go with that expanded schedule, since it takes eight games to win it rather than seven, this is the first major tournament happening after two seasons of expanded European football. More, more, more.

Lionel Messi will lead title contenders Argentina at this summer's World Cup
Lionel Messi will lead title contenders Argentina at this summer’s World Cup (Reuters)

Players, especially the quantity in the major teams, are exhausted.

That could restore some romance by favouring the “dark horses” like Japan, Ecuador, Morocco, Norway, Austria and Senegal.

Except, just like with Iran’s constraints, Senegal has already faced the disadvantage of being subjected to a humiliating tarmac security search.

It is just one of many ways the non-football elements shape the football.

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The favourites, Spain, almost illustrate the difficulty of getting your head around this as well as the bodies.

The European champions have the best team at the tournament, but have also had the most fitness issues and major injuries.

The biggest of those is Lamine Yamal. He may be the mere 18-year-old anticipated to crown his rise to the best player in the world by seizing this tournament, but he’s also hoping to recover from a hamstring injury for the first game.

Lamine Yamal is hoping to recover from a hamstring injury for Spain’s first game
Lamine Yamal is hoping to recover from a hamstring injury for Spain’s first game (Reuters)

That can nevertheless work both ways, especially in a World Cup this long. Spain and Yamal might be stiff at the start, but then evolve into the best possible condition for the most important stages.

That is exactly what happened with Andres Iniesta in 2010. Their possession game may also prove decisive in a tournament that is going to be dictated by punishingly hot conditions. In the same way that United 2026 has more unprecedented controversies, it also has more variables.

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Tuchel is one of many coaches who have been deeply considering how to work around all this.

France, who have faced a lot of concerns about the Didier Deschamps era going stale, may now find his stultifying medium block suits the conditions.

They do have the best array of attacking stars just waiting to be released, with Kylian Mbappe badly needing a big World Cup.

France captain Kylian Mbappe needs a big World Cup
France captain Kylian Mbappe needs a big World Cup (Reuters)

England are up there, especially with the differential of a goalscorer like Harry Kane. They may not have a perfect squad, but no one does.

That points to how this World Cup is nowhere near as strong a field as in 1998, where at least eight teams looked truly elite. The offset is that this “second tier” of outsiders is stronger than ever, offering the potential for something else a World Cup has never had: a winner like a Denmark 1992 or Greece 2004.

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That’s where the competition comes down to more elemental qualities, the glorious intangibles, the very emotion the trophy inspires.

For all that everything about a World Cup changes, the meaning doesn’t.

It will still offer countries some of the greatest days in their national histories, with the very awareness of this global importance affording it a cultural significance beyond anything else in the planet’s history.

Harry Kane leads England at his third World Cup
Harry Kane leads England at his third World Cup (PA)

This is the emotional pinnacle, the peak of sport because the massif is so wide. It can be seen in the expressions of players, and even the great trophy itself. Those two arms “stretching out to receive the world… at the stirring moment of victory” – in the words of designer Silvio Gazzinaga – are representative of what everyone in football is reaching for.

Hence Infantino’s desperation for this to start amid so much controversy. The football still perseveres. The spirit perseveres. The competition is still, at its core, a global cultural good, no matter how it’s used.

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As Maradona once said, “the ball never stains”. The World Cup retains a purity.

Duly, even a 48-team competition will evolve – as the writer Duncan Hamilton put it – “like a theatrical play”. While the numbers are gradually winnowed to two and then one, the drama, emotion and suspense only become more intense. Such feelings enrich the moments that really create World Cup legacies, but they are ultimately fostered by narrative, by stories.

This tournament has so many, even if it does not have many great teams.

Can Brazil somehow rise to that level under Ancelotti, and end a 24-year wait in the way they did for the last World Cup in the USA? Can a new band of successful club coaches show their acumen by showing everyone else what’s what, or will the different contours of international football embarrass them?

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Can Carlo Ancelotti and Vinicius Jr guide Brazil to a first World Cup in 24 years?
Can Carlo Ancelotti and Vinicius Jr guide Brazil to a first World Cup in 24 years? (Getty)

Will a surprisingly deep elder generation led by Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo finally cede ground to a new era of Yamal, Jamal Musiala and Erling Haaland, or will a slower tournament allow for those who can still produce individual moments?

Can any of the hosts make an impression? Can Mauricio Pochettino avoid a furious social media post from Trump? Can Canada do “a Korea 2002”, in the way they are privately talking about? Can Mexico finally get past a quarter-final?

Can Germany finally get past a group stage again, to prove maybe the darkest horse of all? Can the fancied Netherlands at last win it after three lost finals?

Can there be a new name on the trophy?

Can England finally lift this trophy amid all of the symbolism connected to 1966, given that was the old Jules Rimet?

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Amid all of the challenges, Tuchel and his players should perhaps be mindful of something that Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said at the draw back in December.

“Every day you are a world champion you feel younger.”

The sentiment, and the aspiration, may never be more important amid a World Cup so exhausting in so many senses. It’s an achievement of scale beyond anything else.

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Winning % as CFB Favorite over Last 10 Years in West

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  By SuperWest Sports Staff


Winning the games you’re expected to win is the trademark of a consistently successful college football program.

That is especially true for ranked teams with a big target on their backs.

The tables below show the wins, losses, and win percentages as the underdog for the region’s top programs over the last 10 seasons.

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Oregon leads the way, followed by Washington, Boise State, Utah State, and BYU.


Winning % and Records as Favorite by Program from 2016-2025
Win % Team Record
85.4% Oregon 82-14
82.3% Washington 79-17
81.3% Boise State 87-20
80.0% Utah State 44-11
79.5% BYU 62-16
79.3% New Mexico State 23-6
79.1% Colorado 34-9
78.3% USC 72-20
76.9% Hawai’i 30-9
76.8% Wyoming 43-13
76.6% Fresno State 59-18
76.6% Stanford 36-11
76.3% San Diego State 61-19
76.0% Utah 76-24
75.8% WSU 50-16
75.0% UNLV 36-12
74.5% ASU 38-13
73.5% San Jose State 36-13
73.2% Arizona 30-11
72.6% Air Force 61-23
68.95 Oregon State 31-14
68.8% Cal 33-15
64.3% Nevada 27-15
63.3% CSU 31-18
63.2% New Mexico 24-14
63.2% UCLA 36-21
62.1% UTEP 18-11

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The PGA Tour Events Shaping Betting Interest Through the Rest of 2026

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The second half of the 2026 PGA Tour season offers a compelling blend of elite competition, iconic venues, and high-profile tournaments that continue to attract attention from golf fans worldwide. As the schedule progresses through summer and into autumn, several marquee events stand out for their competitive significance and unique course characteristics.

These tournaments not only influence season-long narratives but also generate considerable interest among followers of golf betting markets, adding layers of engagement throughout the 2026 PGA Tour calendar.

Key 2026 Golf Events Still to Come

Before the schedule moves into its busiest late-season stretch, these are the events most likely to shape fan interest, player momentum, and betting conversations through the rest of 2026.

FedEx St. Jude Championship

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Each event brings a different kind of pressure. Some reward scoring, others test adaptability, and the playoff events add consequences that can change how the rest of the season is viewed.

Travelers Championship

TPC River Highlands

25–28 June 2026

The Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands consistently delivers some of professional golf’s most exciting scoring conditions. The Connecticut layout rewards aggressive play and birdie hunting, making it a fan and bettor favorite each season.

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Low-scoring totals and dramatic Sunday leaderboards have defined this event’s reputation over recent years. Players who arrive in strong form often find numerous scoring opportunities throughout the compact, strategically designed course.

The tournament regularly produces entertaining finishes, with contenders frequently separated by only a handful of shots entering the final round. This competitive balance keeps spectators invested throughout the week.

From a wagering perspective, the Travelers Championship generates significant attention because of its historically predictable scoring environment. Bettors often focus on players whose strengths align with the course’s attack-minded setup.

Sharp analysis frequently highlights competitors capable of taking advantage of accessible pin positions and creating birdie streaks. The venue rewards confidence and precision more than conservative play.

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Course history also plays a notable role. River Highlands has repeatedly favored certain players, creating recurring storylines that attract interest from both golf followers and betting audiences.

Because the field composition remains relatively consistent from year to year, identifying proven performers becomes an important factor when evaluating potential outcomes ahead of tournament week.

Genesis Scottish Open

The Renaissance Club

9–12 July 2026

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The Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club (in Scotland) has evolved into one of the most prestigious tournaments outside the major championship schedule. Its placement before The Open Championship ensures a strong international field every year.

Scotland’s coastal environment introduces firm fairways, shifting winds, and classic links-style conditions that demand adaptability. Success often depends on creativity and strategic shot-making rather than raw power alone.

Players frequently use the tournament as a final opportunity for preparation before golf’s oldest major. As a result, fans receive an early glimpse of which competitors appear most comfortable in links conditions.

Betting interest surrounding the Scottish Open remains particularly strong because the weather can dramatically influence tournament dynamics. Forecast changes often become a central topic throughout the week.

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Links golf naturally creates greater uncertainty, making it difficult to rely exclusively on traditional rankings and recent form. Players with strong records in links-style conditions frequently attract increased attention.

For those monitoring golf odds, the Scottish Open provides one of the most fascinating markets of the summer. Weather forecasts, tee-time advantages, and course-management skills can all influence pre-tournament expectations.

The international makeup of the field also broadens wagering engagement, drawing attention from audiences across Europe, North America, and other major golf markets.

FedEx St. Jude Championship

TPC Southwind

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13–16 August 2026

The FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind marks the beginning of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Its position on the schedule immediately elevates both competitive intensity and fan interest.

Players arrive knowing every shot could significantly affect their postseason ambitions. This urgency often creates compelling storylines and memorable leaderboard battles throughout the week.

TPC Southwind presents a demanding test that rewards precision and consistency. Water hazards, strategic bunkering, and difficult approach shots challenge even the most accomplished competitors.

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From a betting standpoint, the playoff implications create numerous angles of interest. Tournament outcomes affect more than a single week’s result, adding broader significance to every round played.

Fans can follow outright winner markets while also tracking players attempting to improve their FedEx Cup standing. These overlapping narratives create a deeper level of engagement.

The pressure associated with playoff qualification occasionally leads to unexpected performances. Players seeking crucial points often produce standout weeks that reshape the postseason picture.

Established stars, meanwhile, attempt to maintain momentum and strengthen their positions as they head deeper into the playoff schedule, creating another layer of intrigue.

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BMW Championship

Bellerive Country Club

20–23 August 2026

The BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club represents the penultimate stage of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. With only fifty competitors in the field, every round carries heightened significance.

The reduced-field format concentrates talent and creates an elite competitive environment. Fans are treated to a leaderboard filled almost exclusively with the season’s top performers.

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Bellerive’s championship pedigree further enhances the event. The course has previously hosted major championships and consistently delivers a demanding test of all-around golf.

From a wagering perspective, smaller fields create a unique environment. Bettors can focus attention on a more manageable group of contenders while evaluating a range of performance indicators.

The event’s playoff implications add further intrigue beyond outright winner selections. FedEx Cup scenarios become increasingly important as players pursue advancement opportunities.

Every position on the leaderboard can influence season-long outcomes. As a result, sportsbooks often expand available markets to reflect the tournament’s broader significance.

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This combination of elite talent, playoff pressure, and concentrated competition helps make the BMW Championship one of the most closely followed events of late summer.

Presidents Cup

Medinah Country Club

24–27 September 2026

The Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club closes an outstanding stretch of golf in 2026. As one of the sport’s premier team competitions, it consistently attracts global attention.

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PGA narratives point out that Medinah’s history as a major championship venue adds prestige to the event. The course provides a dramatic setting for international competition and memorable moments.

The United States team facing an International side creates compelling narratives that extend beyond traditional tournament storylines. National pride becomes a central component of the spectacle.

Betting interest surrounding the Presidents Cup differs significantly from standard stroke-play events. Team competition introduces a variety of unique markets and formats.

Match betting, session results, and overall team performance options create additional opportunities for engagement throughout the competition. These formats often appeal to a broader audience.

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The event’s team structure also makes it accessible to casual sports fans who may not follow weekly PGA Tour tournaments throughout the season.

Combined with Medinah’s passionate atmosphere and rich history, the Presidents Cup serves as a fitting conclusion to one of the year’s most anticipated stretches of professional golf.

A Memorable Finish to the 2026 PGA Tour Season

From the birdie-friendly conditions to the international spectacles of the Presidents Cup, the remainder of the 2026 PGA Tour calendar offers no shortage of compelling storylines. Each event brings unique competitive challenges that influence player performance, fan engagement, and betting activity.

Whether shaped by playoff pressure, links conditions, limited-field formats, or emerging venues, these tournaments continue to capture widespread attention and reinforce golf’s position as one of the most closely followed sports throughout the second half of the year.

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NBA Finals 2026: New York Knicks beat San Antonio Spurs in record comeback

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NBA legend Charles Barkley branded the San Antonio Spurs “the dumbest basketball team in the history of civilisation” after the New York Knicks pulled off the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history.

The Spurs led by 29 points as they aimed to level the best-of-seven series in New York before hosting game five, but the Knicks fought back to win 107-106.

London-born OG Anunoby claimed a tip-in basket with 1.2 seconds left to clinch victory, much to the delight of a star-studded crowd at Madison Square Garden, which included Taylor Swift and Timothee Chalamet.

It gave the Knicks a 3-1 lead in the series and put them within one win of their first championship since 1973.

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The previous biggest comeback in the NBA Finals was 24 points, by the Boston Celtics against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008.

San Antonio went 29 points up in the second quarter and their 27-point lead at half-time (76-49) was the largest for a road team in Finals history, but they then scored just 30 points in the second half.

“That was some of the most mismanaged, stupid basketball,” said ESPN analyst and former NBA most valuable player Barkley.

“When you blow a 29-point lead, the other team has to help, and the San Antonio Spurs helped the New York Knicks win this game.”

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Victor Wembanyama scored a team-high 24 points for San Antonio and claimed 13 rebounds.

“I can’t really explain it right now,” said the NBA’s defensive player of the year.

“I don’t know. I think it’s just execution, greediness of some sort. We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half.”

The Knicks still trailed 90-75 heading into the fourth quarter but Jalen Brunson put them in front for the first time at 105-104 with 82 seconds remaining.

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Anunoby then made a block with 11.1 seconds left, to stop the Spurs leading 108-105, before tipping in the game-clinching score after Brunson’s three-point attempt struck the rim.

“One word that caps that all is just ‘belief’,” Brunson told ESPN. “It was chipping away, one possession at a time. It wasn’t going to be one play to get us back.”

Game five is in San Antonio on Saturday (01:30 BST, Sunday).

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Parramatta Eels vs Canberra Raiders Tips, Odds, Teams & Predictions – NRL Round 15 2026

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CommBank Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 15 NRL game between Parramatta Eels and
Canberra Raiders. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with Canberra Raiders heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Parramatta Eels vs.
Canberra Raiders
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday June 13, 2026 at 7:35 pm

Where: CommBank Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

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Parramatta Eels vs Canberra Raiders Odds

Parramatta Eels vs Canberra Raiders Preview

Parramatta and Canberra enter Saturday night’s clash at CommBank Stadium desperate to revive their seasons. Despite sitting near the bottom of the ladder, the Eels have shown encouraging signs in recent weeks, pushing higher-ranked opponents despite a lengthy injury list and the absence of key personnel. Canberra, meanwhile, continues to struggle for consistency and enters the contest after a disappointing shutout loss to the Roosters. The Raiders have enjoyed recent dominance in this fixture, winning the last four meetings, but their current form leaves plenty of questions unanswered. Parramatta’s young spine continues to gain valuable experience and confidence, while Canberra’s attack has failed to fire often enough in 2026. With both sides needing a win to remain relevant in the finals conversation, expect a desperate and physical contest.

First Try Scorer

First Try Scorer:

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Jed Stuart at $10.00.

Parramatta Eels vs Canberra Raiders Teams

Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Brian Kelly 3. Jordan Samrani 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Luca Moretti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Jack Williams 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin 14. Dylan Walker 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Toni Mataele 17. Harrison Edwards 18. Apa Twidle 19. Teancum Brown 20. Charlie Guymer 21. Ryley Smith 22. Araz Nanva

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Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Daine Laurie 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Jayden Brailey 14. Owen Pattie 15. Ata Mariota 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Jed Stuart 18. Chevy Stewart 21. Vena Patuki-Case

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World Cup: France settle in Boston ahead of 2026 campaign

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On the eve of the opening match, FIFA president Gianni Infantino held a press conference in Mexico City, addressing the various controversies surrounding the tournament. He also commented on the case of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry upon arrival in the United States before being welcomed back as a hero in Mogadishu.

In athletics, 17-year-old American prospect Cooper Lutkenhaus produced the fastest 800-metre time in the world this year at the Oslo Diamond League meeting.

In tennis, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard reached the quarter-finals in Stuttgart, while Arthur Fils, who has withdrawn from Halle, will arrive at Wimbledon without having played a single grass-court match this season.

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World Cup 2026 live: Mexico set to kick off tournament after Gianni Infantino’s shambolic press conference

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Welcome!

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of everything World Cup related, as the tournament get underway this evening!

Mexico play host to South Africa in a repeat of the 2010 opener in Johannesburg, only with the role of home nation flipped.

That game gave us one of the all-time World Cup moments – “TSHABALALAAAAAA!!!” – so let’s hope after last night’s disastrous Gianni Infantino press conference, we can get things off on a right note.

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(Reuters)

Will Castle11 June 2026 07:31

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Edin Dzeko still strong for Bosnia-Herzegovina

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If Edin Dzeko played for a bigger footballing nation, this wouldn’t be just his second appearance at the tournament. But 12 years after Bosnia-Herzegovina failed to make it out of the group stage in Brazil, the now 40-year-old striker and his country are back on the game’s biggest stage.

Although Bosnia-Herzegovina, which gained its independence in 1992, has only made it to the one previous World Cup and never qualified for a European Championship, Dzeko has played an incredible 148 times (scoring 73 goals) for his country.

Growing up in a besieged capital

That independence came at a heavy price, as it was engulfed in one of the wars that followed the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. The capital, Sarajevo, was particularly hard hit, enduring almost four years of siege by Yugoslav National Army and the newly formed Bosnian-Serb army, which held the mountains surrounding the city. Between 1992 and 1995 more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, were killed through shelling and by snipers in Sarajevo alone.

A man runs with a young child near the Holiday Inn (left) and Bosnian parliament building in Sarajevo during the war
During the war Sarajevans would have to sprint through the streets to avoid getting hit by snipersImage: picture-alliance/ dpa

Dzeko was six years old when the war broke out and during the siege, kicking a ball around on the streets of the ever-more battered capital was a welcome distraction.

“Our home was destroyed, so we had to move in with my grandparents. The whole family lived there under one roof, maybe 15 people crammed into an apartment of 35 square meters,” Dzeko told British newspaper The Mail in 2011 of his experience of the war.

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“It was constant stress and worry, in case something happened or news came through that someone we knew had been killed. I was only young, and I cried often, through fear. Every day, you could hear the guns firing, and we lost family, friends and even some relatives.”

From Sarajevo to Wolfsburg and beyond

He would continue his development in the academy of one of the city’s two big clubs, FK Zeljeznicar. That’s where he made his debut as a professional in Bosnia-Herzegovina’s topflight in 2003, but this would be the beginning of the end of his career in his homeland. His first coach, who happened to be Czech, convinced FK Teplice to sign him for a reported €25,000 ($28,870) two years later.

There, he attracted the attention of German coach Felix Magath, who brought Dzeko to Wolfsburg in the summer of 2007, the same year he made his debut for the senior national team for Bosnia-Herzegovina. It was in Wolfsburg where he flourished. Alongside Grafite, he was one half of the most prolific striking duo in Bundesliga history, combining for a total of 54 goals (28 for Grafite, 26 for Dzeko) as the pair led the club to their only league title in 2009.

Edin Dzeko celebrates scoring a goal for Wolfsburg
It was under Felix Magath at Wolfsburg that Edin Dzeko developed into a superstarImage: Anke Fleig/Sven Simon/picture alliance

By then, the “Bosnian diamond,” as he had been dubbed by a local broadcaster, was coveted by top clubs all over Europe. He went on to win titles at Manchester City and Inter, while also enjoying successful spells at Roma and Fenerbahce before returning to Italy’s Serie A with Fiorentina this past season. By then he had racked up 369 goals in 856 games in all competitions for his various clubs.

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Returning to Germany

At 39, having managed just one goal in five Conference League matches for Fiorentina, and none in his 11 Serie A appearances, it seemed as if his long career was drawing to a close. In December, a frustrated Dzeko started looking for a new club — one where he would again get regular minutes.

This came just as second-division German side Schalke were looking to boost their chances of winning promotion back to the topflight. Their Bosnian-born coach, Miron Muslic, who fled the war with his parents as a child, could hardly believe his luck when he learned that Dzeko was prepared to take a big pay cut to play in a lower league. In fact, Dzeko was so eager to play, that he turned down Schalke’s offer to send a plane for him, having already booked a commercial flight to Germany.

Just days after his arrival, Dzeko was back in his familiar blue and white, the traditional colors not only of Schalke, but also his first club, Zeljeznicar, and the Bosnian national team. Coming on as a sub, he scored his first of six goals in the second half of the season as he helped Schalke seal promotion just weeks after his 40th birthday.

“I’ve won quite a few titles during my career. But I’ve never celebrated one like we did here at Schalke,” Dzeko told the club’s website afterwards. “I said from day one that Schalke belongs in the Bundesliga.”

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Bosnian players celebrate after scoring a goal
Edin Dzeko (holding ball) could make his 150th appearance for Bosnia at this summer’s World CupImage: Georg Hochmuth/APA/picture alliance

A ‘perfect few months’

All the while, Dzeko remained captain of the national team, determined to make it to one more World Cup — a proposition that seemed extremely unlikely when another Bosnian legend, Sergej Barbarez, took over as coach of “The Dragons” in April 2024. Not much was expected of Barbarez, considering the fact that although he had completed his coaching badges years earlier, he had absolutely no experience in the role.

But Barbarez, an impressive Bundesliga striker in his own right in the 1990s and 2000s, had a way of inspiring a mainly young Bosnian side to the kind of success they hadn’t seen in over a decade, upsetting Italy in a playoff to qualify for North America. Dzeko was a big part of the campaign.

“I wanted to help bring the club (Schalke) back to where it belongs,” he said. “The fact that I also qualified for the World Cup with the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team has made the past few months perfect. I absolutely made the right decision.”

Edin Dzeko seems to have made a habit of making the right choices over his long career. Seeing him make it to one last World Cup stands out as a feel-good story going into a tournament largely making the headlines for the wrong reasons.

The Dayton Peace Agreement 30 years on

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Edited by: Jonathan Harding 

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