1. Three hosts with strained ties

This World Cup will be the first to be hosted by three countries – the United States, Canada and Mexico – as opposed to the usual single nation. 2002 was an exception, when Japan and South Korea broke new ground by sharing the hosting duties. This year’s cohosts have usually enjoyed good relations, but these have become more difficult since US President Donald Trump began his second term in office. His threats to annex Canada as the “51st” US state and punitive tariffs have soured the mood between two historically close allies. US ties with Mexico have been strained over several issues including their shared border and Trump threatening, tacitly at least, to use military force to combat drug cartels operating in Mexico.

2. More teams, more games

Forty-eight teams taking part means many more games, a total of 104 compared to 64 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when only 32 nations were involved. The opening match will be between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on June 11.

There will be 12 groups of four teams, compared to eight four years ago. The top two teams from each of the groups plus the best eight third-placed teams advance to the round of 32. This extra knockout round has been introduced to help whittle down the number of teams on the way to the final in New Jersey on July 19.

More teams meant more opportunities for nations to make it to World Cup for the first time. Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan will all be making their debuts, which is great news for their fans, but critics worry that the increased number of teams could result in a drop in the overall quality of play.

3. Mandatory hydration breaks

While hydration breaks are not new to football, FIFA has announced that all World Cup matches will feature two such breaks approximately 22 minutes into each half — regardless of the weather conditions.

Previously, referees were required to call cooling breaks 30 minutes into each half when the temperature at kickoff exceeded 31 degrees Celsius (87.8 degrees Fahrenheit). The change comes amid concerns about high temperatures expected in some of the host cities, as was the case at last summer’s Club World Cup in the US.

Conveniently for broadcasters, FIFA has confirmed that they will be allowed to cut away from matches to air commercials during these 3-minute breaks. This overcomes a problem that vexed US broadcasters during the 1994 World Cup and effectively breaks matches up into quarters – just like in two of the more popular televised sports in the United States, basketball and American football.

4. Human rights concerns

A report released by Amnesty International in March warned that the World Cup poses “significant risks and impacts for fans players, journalists, workers and local communities alike.” The report is hardest on the USA, which is to host the vast majority of matches. It describes the situation there as a “human rights emergency” and points to what it calls a “recognizable pattern of authoritarian practices” in the country. It expresses particular concern about the conduct of ICE immigration agents deployed to some states.

Amnesty noted, among other things, that Mexico has mobilized 100,000 security personnel, including the military, in response to high levels of violence in the country.

As for Canada, the report cited fears that homeless people could be further marginalized, particularly in host cities Vancouver and Toronto, as well as restrictions imposed on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

5. High costs of travel, tickets

The distances involved make travel expensive even for North America-based fans. Farthest apart among the venues are Vancouver and Miami – 4,507 kilometers (2,800 miles). If a Germany fan, for example, wanted to follow their team they would stand to rack up 2,619 kilometers to travel from Houston to Toronto to New Jersey for the group-stage matches alone.

Ticket prices are such a bone of contention that the fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has filed a lawsuit against FIFA with the European Commission over “excessive ticket prices” for games. With a month to go before the opening match on June 11, tickets for most group-stage matches remained on general sale. The top tickets for the USA’s opening match against Paraguay in Los Angeles were listed at $4,105 (€3,499) while for some less-in-demand games the cheapest seats were listed at $380.

FIFA’s own resale website, FIFA Marketplace, recently advertised tickets to the final at a cost of more than $2 million each.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino stands by the pricing, pointing to a low number of less expensive tickets made available to loyal national team fans through their federations. Speaking in Los Angeles, Infantino noted that the high prices simply reflected demand in an expensive market.

“And if somebody buys a ticket for the final for $2 million, I will personally bring him a hot dog and a Coke to make sure that he has a great experience,” he promised.

6. The Iran question

Iran has qualified for a seventh World Cup but it seemed a difficult proposition from the start. Iran is one of four qualified countries whose citizens are facing complete or partial bans from traveling to the United States, where all its group games are to be played. Under Trump’s executive order, the teams, their coaches and support staff are exempt, but this doesn’t appear to apply to Iranian FA officials.

Earlier this year, the United States and Israel launched a weeks-long war on Iran , after which the Iranian FA threatened to “boycott” its matches in the US. Trump later said that “for their own life and safety” it wouldn’t be appropriate for Iran to be there. Now Mexico has agreed to an arrangement in which the team is to be based there, only traveling across the border for its two matches in Los Angeles and the other in Seattle.

Edited by: Matt Pearson

Pakistan has decided not to send its team for the Asian Senior Fencing Championships to be held in Delhi from June 19 despite the local organisers sending an invite to the neighbouring country to take part in the continental event, a top official said on Thursday. India is hosting the championships for the first time. Fencers from more than 30 countries across Asia and Oceania will be seen in action at the event to be held at Bharat Mandapam here. Nearly 100 delegates and technical officials will oversee the event.

“We sent an invite to Pakistan, as well as Afghanistan, to participate in the championships but they chose not to send their fencers. The deadline for sending entries is long over and we are now in the process of procuring visas for the athletes and officials,” the Fencing Association of India (FAI) Secretary General Rajeev Mehta told PTI.

Last month, the Sports Ministry had reiterated that the blanket ban on bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan that was imposed last year will remain in force, but the athletes from across the border will not be stopped from coming here for multilateral events.

Despite that, Pakistan has chosen not to send the entries of their fencers.

The General Assembly of the Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA) will also be held here before the championships, a first time the continental body’s top brass is meeting in India.

The International Fencing Federation (FIE) interim president Abdelmoneim El Husseiny is also expected to attend the General Assembly.

Meanwhile, Mehta said athletes and delegates of a few participating nations, including West Asian countries, have been facing visa-related challenges.

“Preparations for the championship are progressing smoothly, with coordination being undertaken alongside international and national authorities to ensure world-class event management and athlete experience,” said Mehta, who is also Secretary-General of the Fencing Confederation of Asia.

“However, a few participating nations are currently facing visa-related challenges. The delegations and officials from Hong Kong are experiencing difficulties in securing timely visa appointments due to limited appointment slot availability at the visa application centre.

“Additionally, the Australian delegation has also encountered visa-related issues following rejections of certain visa applications, and necessary coordination efforts are underway with the concerned authorities to facilitate their participation in the championship.” He said the championship is expected to play a vital role in promoting fencing in India, inspiring young athletes, and strengthening the country’s position as an emerging destination for international sporting events.

“The Fencing Association of India extends its gratitude to all supporting authorities, stakeholders, and partners for their continued cooperation and support in making this championship a landmark event.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Texas Tech wants to “spot the ball” and play Texas on the field in 2026.

Steve Sarkisian brought this on himself, but he should not give in to the Red Raiders’ request.

On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, I’m joined by ‘Locked On Nittany Lions’ host Zach Seyko discuss a former Penn State 5-star EDGE.

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Utah’s Athletic Department saw some 70 employees laid off as a result of their partnership with a private equity firm.

Does this spell more bad financial news for the Utes?

00:00 Discussing potential game excitement
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08:01 Texas vs. Texas Tech game discussion
11:33 Tennessee’s risky player contract
16:14 Discussing roster management challenges
20:40 Employee rehiring after layoffs
22:18 Funding challenges in college sports
26:12 Challenges in retaining players

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Russia’s Mirra Andreeva reacts after winning during the semifinal tennis match against Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk at the French Open in Paris, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

PARIS–Mirra Andreeva raced into her first Grand Slam final as she beat an erratic Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 at the French Open on Thursday.

The 19-year-old Russian took one hour and 16 minutes to overcome her Ukrainian opponent. Andreeva will play either compatriot Diana Shnaider or Pole Maja Chwalinska in Saturday’s final.

READ: Andreeva, Kostyuk set up Russia-Ukraine clash in French Open

“I’m still very, very nervous. I was very nervous coming into this match,” said eighth-seeded Andreeva on court at the end.

Kostyuk, the 15th seed, had won her previous two meetings with Andreeva, both this year. The most recent was on clay in the final in Madrid as Kostyuk put together a 17-match unbeaten run on the red dirt coming into the Roland Garros last four.

Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk reacts during the semifinal tennis match against Russia’s Mirra Andreeva at the French Open in Paris, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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Yet, on Thursday, she quickly started to unravel against her teenage opponent. Kostyuk dropped serve in the very first game after two double faults and a pair of unforced errors.

She led 0-40 in Andreeva’s first service game but a combination of Kostyuk errors on high-risk strokes and the Russian’s steadier defence allowed Andreeva to recover to consolidate the break.

READ: Mirra Andreeva throws tantrum after loss at Indian Wells

The pattern persisted as Andreeva grabbed the initiative to win through the 34-minute set.

Kostyuk had a break point in the first game of the second set but could not take it.

Andreeva pulled 4-1 ahead. Kostyuk, who finished with 34 unforced errors, finally forced a break of her own but promptly dropped serve to love and Andreeva duly served out the win.

“She’s had an amazing season,” said Andreeva of Kostyuk. “She’s an amazing player, very tough opponent.

“I’m super happy with the way I played and then that I got revenge for Madrid final and I’m happy that I’m in my first-ever Grand Slam final.

“All of these feelings combined it’s amazing. I’ve never felt anything like this before.”

Andreeva was the only one of the women’s semi-finalists to have reached this stage at one of the four majors — she lost to Jasmine Paolini at the last-four stage of Roland Garros in 2024.

Shnaider and Chwalinska, a qualifier, meet to decide her final opponent later Thursday.

“I’m nervous but at the same time I’m very, very excited,” added Andreeva of playing her first major title-decider.

The camera is always on Virat Kohli. From a small gesture towards his teammate to an aggressive celebration when a rival batter gets out, Kohli’s every act is always under the gaze of the lens. It does not stop there – at airports, in hotel lobbies, on the streets, inside restaurants – there is rarely a time when Kohli is not followed. The celebrity status that superstars like Kohli have comes with its share of burden. Kohli’s ex-teammate at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Liam Livingstone, who currently plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, shared his opinion on Kohli’s tryst with fame.

“What’s he like in the dressing room?” Michael Vaughan asked England star Liam Livingstone in a podcast.

“He was amazing. I’d always played against Virat, and he’s always laughing,” Livingstone said.

“If you want to have a go at someone, he’ll have a go back at you. But on the field, he’s ultra-competitive. As soon as he steps over that line, he’s a different person. Away from cricket, he is a really nice, chilled-out, lovely guy who loves spending time with his family. A very chilled-out guy,” Livingstone added, reflecting on Kohli’s natural disposition.

“And almost kind of doesn’t want the life that he lives in India. He doesn’t really want the eyes on him all the time. He is a genuinely nice guy. When he gets out onto the pitch, he is the most competitive player I have seen.”

Kohli, in recent years, has divided his time between India and England. Before the IPL, Kohli was staying in England. Several reports claimed that it was an attempt by Kohli to escape the constant attention and frenzy that he generates.

Livingstone went on to praise the role of RCB’s Director of Cricket Mo Bobat and coach Andy Flower in the evolution of Kohli.

“Mo [Bobat] and Andy [Flower] went in and changed the way he played. They were brave enough to do that,” Livingstone said.

“They asked him to be a bit more aggressive, hit more sixes, and keep going with that aggression in the powerplay. You see the way he plays now in the powerplay, and he’s way more aggressive than he used to be. Even against spin, he’s playing more shots than he ever did.

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English Football League clubs have voted to reduce the length of ‘fee restriction’ transfer windows for clubs failing to meet financial obligations.

Those who do not keep up with payments for more than 30 days have previously been banned for three transfer windows from any incoming transfers or loans which involve a fee.

Sheffield Wednesday were one of the clubs hit by a three-window restriction when they twice failed to pay player wages on time, in March and May 2025, for a total exceeding the 30-day ruling.

Under the new regulations, clubs could still be subject to a fee restriction but only for one transfer window, with the EFL keen to assess any future breaches of their rules on a case-by-case basis.

“Moving forwards, this will be replaced by a more structured business plan approach, based on individual circumstances, which aims to make it clearer what information clubs need to report to the League and when,” the EFL said in a statement.

“Under the revised regulation, clubs may still be subject to a fee restriction, but only for one window. Clubs will also maintain the right to appeal, while the League also maintains the right to charge clubs in serious cases of persistent defaulting.”

The new ruling was voted on during the EFL’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday.

The League’s chief executive Trevor Birch has announced he will step down from his post at the end of the 2026/27 season. He was appointed in January, 2021.

Rick Parry has been re-elected as the league’s chairman for a further three-year period, which will extend his time in the role to a decade.

Megan Barker is preparing to make her long-awaited City of London Nocturne debut ahead of the Commonwealth Games and National Championships.

Megan Barker is set to fulfil her second of five goals in 2026 when she takes to the track at City of London Nocturne.

In April, the Welsh cyclist, who is based in Manchester, competed in the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Hong Kong, winning a silver medal in the team pursuit. And this summer, the new City of London Nocturne offers the chance to tick another item off her bucket list.

She said: “I’ve heard a lot about it and seen a lot of clips and pictures. I think it’s really cool and I’m glad it has come back. I think the crowds enjoy it because you can see all the action and you don’t have to stand around all day.”

The new Nocturne event has been designed to be bigger and better with food stalls and street music building an intense urban atmosphere around a circuit in the City of London.

Barker said: “It suits my physiology. I like really short, sharp, hard efforts and going up to one hour is perfect for me. I’m better at it than road racing. It will be nice to get some crit racing in a bit earlier in the season than normal, before crit nationals.”

The 28-year-old won the national title in 2023 to join an exclusive club that boasts names such as Katie Archibald and Lizzie Deignan (nee Armitstead) and repeating that success is her third major aim of this year. She said: “It’s always one of my big aims. I crashed out last year quite early on, so I was gutted about that. And it’s the same course – I’m hoping it’s not a repeat. And I’m also aiming for the Track World Championships in Shanghai.”

But by far the biggest target for Barker this summer is the Commonwealth Games. She raced at both Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022 but failed to win a medal. Glasgow represents a real opportunity for the Welsh team to take home some silverware if Barker is selected.

She said: “Obviously, it only comes down every four years, so you want to make the most of it. My main aim would be the team pursuit, because a lot of girls in the GB squad are Welsh this year, so we have a solid team.

“We were fourth last time and it was pretty tight. I’m hoping we’re going to have like a really good chance of a medal, which has been one of my career goals that I keep just missing out on. My family are all booked to go, which makes it way nicer, especially if you do get a good result and you can celebrate with them afterwards.”

To find out more and enter races go to www.racenocturne.com

When a new general manager takes over an organization, he or she often embarks on a roster rebuild, cutting dead weight from the past and exercising patience for the future. That won’t happen for the Minnesota Vikings, at least not anytime soon, as new boss Nolan Teasley told reporters Wednesday his squad is ready to win now.

The Vikings have never really conducted a full rebuild in the first place, and they’re not about to start in the summer of 2026.

Teasley’s Seahawks Blueprint Arrives in Minnesota

Teasley: Win Now

Asked if we would “rebuild” the Vikings or let it ride in 2026, Teasley replied, “I believe we’re ready to compete right now because they’ve been competitive.”

Teasley added, “I don’t know if I would get into depth in terms of staffing or anything in that regard because I haven’t been here to assess the people that are here. But I know there’s a lot of strong evaluators and a really strong football operation in place. The roster, it’s obvious it’s a strong nucleus of talent on both sides of the ball.”

The Vikings finished 9-8 last year, one win away from an NFC North crown, despite featuring the league’s fifth-worst quarterback efficiency.

Tealsey also observed, “They’ve won a lot of football games here in the last four years, including five in a row to end last season. We’re going to build the deepest, most competitive roster possible so that we can be at our best in December and January and February, and ultimately working toward winning the Super Bowl that this fan base deserves.”

… Probably Why He Was Hired

When the owners, the Wilfs, interviewed all nine candidates for the general manager job, discussing the franchise’s continuous win-now mantra was probably paramount. That is — Mark and Zygi Wilf may have ruled out any would-be executive who recommended a full rebuild for the Vikings.

Why? Well, aside from a poor season in 2011, the Wilfs, who have owned the club for 20 years, have never hosted a terrible Vikings team. When Minnesota has a down year, that translates to seven wins, not two.

Remaining competitive at all times — like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs — is the Viking Way. Teasley’s modus operandi evidently aligns with the Wilfs: if a team must rebuild, it should do so gradually.

Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling wrote Wednesday, “That sustained run of success — without an extended period of losing that delivered premium draft picks — resonated with the Vikings owners. The Wilf family have stated almost annually their desire for the Vikings to compete for division championships and playoff spots without a protracted rebuilding period.”

The State of the Roster

Meanwhile, the Vikings’ roster is, indeed, ready to contend. If one assumes that Kyler Murray stabilizes the quarterback position, or if J.J. McCarthy takes the next maturational step, the sky is the limit for wins. The playmaking weaponry is there; Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, T.J. Hockenson, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason can attest.

The defense has ranked in the NFL’s Top 3 in back-to-back seasons thanks to Brian Flores’s innovative and intense scheme. In fact, Flores’s system propelled Minnesota to five straight wins at the end of the 2025 campaign.

And the special teams ranked eighth last season per DVOA. Kicker Will Reichard even took home All-Pro honors.

The whole team is ready to win in 2026, so long as Murray or McCarthy is ready for the QB1 job.

Picking the GM from the Super Bowl Champs

Picking Tealsey was no accident. He came up within the Seattle Seahawks organization. In addition to winning the Super Bowl last season — the second in 12 years — Seattle has not won fewer than six games in a season since 2009.

These are Seattle’s win-loss records during Teasley’s employment:

Vikings head coach Kevin O”Connell said about Teasley, “You think about how they were able to do it in Seattle, really in multiple ways, they weren’t ever picking in the top five, or number one overall.”

“They were able to do it in ways that, quite honestly, I view as the ways we’re probably going to have to operate moving forward, either within our quarterback room right now or potential acquisitions in the future. You have to lean on process. You have to lean on a world where you can make really good decisions.”

Maintaining a winning or competent roster — at all times — is all Teasley knows. It also just so happens to be the strategy the Wilfs endorse. They don’t embrace taking a step backward to be better; it’s habitually a steady wave of competitive rosters.

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