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Who will reach the world cup semifinals? Quarterfinal schedule, timings IST | FIFA World Cup 2026
After a month of shocks, late goals, penalty shootouts and political noise, the Fifa World Cup 2026 has reached its last-eight stage. The co-hosts are gone. Brazil are out. Portugal have departed. The United States’ exit was wrapped in controversy. Yet the holders remain alive, France still look like the team to beat, and Erling Haaland has turned Norway’s surprise run into one of the stories of the tournament.
The tournament has narrowed, but the narratives have multiplied.
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Fifa World Cup 2026: Quarterfinal and semifinal schedule |
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Stage |
Match |
Venue |
Local date and time |
India date and time |
|
Quarterfinal |
France vs Morocco |
Gillette Stadium, Boston |
July 9, 4 pm ET |
July 10, 1:30 am IST |
|
Quarterfinal |
Spain vs Belgium |
SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
July 10, 12 pm PT / 3 pm ET |
July 11, 12:30 am IST |
|
Quarterfinal |
Norway vs England |
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
July 11, 5 pm ET |
July 12, 2:30 am IST |
|
Quarterfinal |
Argentina vs Switzerland |
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
July 11, 9 pm ET |
July 12, 6:30 am IST |
France vs Morocco: favourites face their first big test
France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026.(Photo: PTI)
But Morocco are not just a romantic story. They are organised, disciplined and technically secure in midfield. Their 3-0 win over Canada was ruthless, and they have lost only once in 90 minutes across their last 50 matches. Noussair Mazraoui gives them defensive security, while Azzedine Ounahi’s two goals against Canada were a reminder of his ability to float through tight spaces.
France vs Morocco head-to-head record
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Previous meetings: 6 -
France wins: 4 -
Draws: 1 -
Morocco wins: 1
France vs Morocco match results in previous meetings
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Dec 14, 2022: France 2-0 Morocco (World Cup) -
Nov 16, 2007: France 2-2 Morocco (Friendly) -
Jun 06, 2000: Morocco 1-5 France (King Hassan II Tournament) -
Jan 20, 1999: France 1-0 Morocco (Friendly) -
May 29, 1998: Morocco 2-2 France – Morocco win 6-5 on penalties (King Hassan II Tournament) -
Feb 05, 1988: France 2-1 Morocco (Tournoi de France)
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Players to watch: Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Azzedine Ounahi, Noussair Mazraoui -
Prediction: France to advance
Spain vs Belgium: control meets tactical revival
Spain have moved through the tournament with less noise than France, Argentina or England, but their defensive record is extraordinary. They have not conceded a goal and have stretched their World Cup clean-sheet run to 609 minutes, a record that goes back to Qatar.
Lamine Yamal. Photo: Reuters
Belgium, meanwhile, produced one of the performances of the Round of 16. Amid the fallout from Fifa’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s ban, Belgium dismantled the United States 4-1 in Seattle. Rudi Garcia’s decision to bench Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku was bold, and it worked. Charles De Ketelaere was involved in three goals, while Leandro Trossard has been one of the tournament’s most creative players.
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Belgium vs Spain head-to-head record |
|
|
Head-to-head record |
Number |
|
Previous meetings |
22 |
|
Spain wins |
12 |
|
Belgium wins |
4 |
|
Draws |
6 |
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Belgium vs Spain: Match-wise record |
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|
Date |
Match |
Competition |
|
Oct 9, 1921 |
Spain 2-0 Belgium |
International friendly |
|
Feb 4, 2023 |
Belgium 1-0 Spain |
International friendly |
|
Jan 2, 1949 |
Spain 1-1 Belgium |
International friendly |
|
June 10, 1951 |
Belgium 3-3 Spain |
International friendly |
|
March 9, 1953 |
Spain 3-1 Belgium |
International friendly |
|
March 31, 1957 |
Belgium 0-5 Spain |
International friendly |
|
Dec 02, 1962 |
Belgium 1-1 Spain |
International friendly |
|
Dec 01, 1963 |
Spain 1-2 Belgium |
International friendly |
|
Dec 11, 1968 |
Spain 1-1 Belgium |
FIFA World Cup qualifier |
|
Feb 23, 1969 |
Belgium 2-1 Spain |
FIFA World Cup qualifier |
|
June 15, 1980 |
Belgium 2-1 Spain |
UEFA European Championship |
|
Dec 16, 1981 |
Spain 2-0 Belgium |
International friendly |
|
Feb 19, 1986 |
Spain 3-0 Belgium |
International friendly |
|
June 22, 1986 |
Belgium 1-1 Spain |
FIFA World Cup |
|
Jun,e 21, 1990 |
Belgium 1-2 Spain |
FIFA World Cup |
|
Dec 17, 1994 |
Belgium 1-4 Spain |
UEFA European Championship |
|
March 29, 1995 |
Spain 1-1 Belgium |
UEFA European Championship |
|
October 09, 2004 |
Spain 2-0 Belgium |
FIFA World Cup qualifier |
|
October 08, 2005 |
Belgium 0-2 Spain |
FIFA World Cup qualifier |
|
October 15, 2008 |
Belgium 1-2 Spain |
FIFA World Cup qualifier |
|
September 05, 2009 |
Spain 5-0 Belgium |
FIFA World Cup qualifier |
|
September 01, 2016 |
Belgium 0-2 Spain |
International friendly |
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Players to watch: Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Aymeric Laporte, Charles De Ketelaere, Leandro Trossard -
Prediction: Spain to advance
Norway vs England: Haaland, Kane and a proper team test
Norway vs England is the most eagerly awaited tie of the round, not only because of Erling Haaland against Harry Kane, but because both sides have shown different forms of strength.
Norway’s 2-1 win over Brazil was not a smash-and-grab. It was proof that they are more than a well-organised side with Haaland up front. Brazil were restricted to 34 per cent possession, their lowest in a World Cup match, and Norway looked surprisingly comfortable in the knockout spotlight despite being absent from the tournament for 28 years.
Erling Haaland. Photo: Reuters
England, however, produced their own statement at the Azteca. To beat Mexico 3-2 with 10 men for the last half-hour showed adaptability and resilience. Jude Bellingham scored twice, covered huge ground, and made a decisive defensive intervention. Jordan Pickford’s first-half saves kept England alive before the chaos took over.
This is not merely Haaland vs England. Norway’s midfield of Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge and Patrick Berg gives them structure, intelligence and control. But England’s tournament muscle, Bellingham’s timing and Kane’s experience may still tilt the tie.
Players to watch: Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford
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Norway vs England head-to-head record |
|
|
Head-to-head record |
Number |
|
Previous meetings |
12 |
|
England wins |
7 |
|
Norway wins |
2 |
|
Draws |
3 |
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Norway vs England: Match-wise record |
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Date |
Match |
Competition |
|
May 14, 1937 |
Norway 0-6 England |
International friendly |
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November 9, 1938 |
England 4-0 Norway |
International friendly |
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May 18, 1949 |
Norway 1-4 England |
International friendly |
|
June, 29 1966 |
Norway 1-6 England |
International friendly |
|
September, 10 1980 |
England 4-0 Norway |
FIFA World Cup qualifier |
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September, 9 1981 |
Norway 2-1 England |
FIFA World Cup qualifier |
|
October, 14 1992 |
England 1-1 Norway |
FIFA World Cup qualifier |
|
June, 2 1993 |
Norway 2-0 England |
FIFA World Cup qualifier |
|
May, 22 1994 |
England 0-0 Norway |
International friendly |
|
October, 11 1995 |
Norway 0-0 England |
International friendly |
|
May, 26 2012 |
Norway 0-1 England |
International friendly |
|
September 3, 2014 |
England 1-0 Norway |
International friendly |
Argentina vs Switzerland: Messi’s chaos meets Swiss discipline
Argentina are still here, but they have not travelled smoothly. They needed extra time to beat Cape Verde and then produced a stunning comeback from 2-0 down against Egypt. Lionel Messi dragged them back in Atlanta, but the match was also clouded by VAR controversy, Egyptian fury and questions over Argentina’s vulnerability.
Messi leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals, one ahead of Haaland and Mbappe. Yet Argentina’s biggest strength may not be structure. It is emotion. Lionel Scaloni’s side have repeatedly shown a strange ability to survive matches that appear to be slipping away.
Argentina players toss teammate Lionel Messi (10) into the air as they celebrate after the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026.(Photo: PTI)
They have finally broken their Round of 16 wall after exits in 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Against Argentina, they will compress space, slow the rhythm and trust their defensive shape. If Johan Manzambi returns from injury, they will have more attacking threat. Without him, they may struggle to hurt Argentina often enough.
Players to watch: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Enzo Fernandez, Gregor Kobel, Ruben Vargas, Breel Embolo
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Argentina vs Switzerland head-to-head record |
|
|
Head-to-head record |
Number |
|
Previous meetings |
2 |
|
Argentina wins |
2 |
|
Switzerland wins |
0 |
|
Draws |
0 |
|
Goals record |
|
|
Goals record |
Number |
|
Total goals |
3 |
|
Argentina goals |
3 |
|
Switzerland goals |
0 |
|
Goal difference |
Argentina +3 |
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Argentina vs Switzerland: FIFA World Cup match-wise record |
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Date |
World Cup |
Stage |
Match |
Score/Result |
|
July 19, 1966 |
1966 |
1st Round, Group 2 |
Argentina vs Switzerland |
Argentina won 2-0 |
|
July 1, 2014 |
2014 |
Round of 16 |
Argentina vs Switzerland |
Argentina won 1-0 after extra time |
|
July 11, 2026 |
2026 |
Quarter-finals |
Argentina vs Switzerland |
To be played |
Players who could define the quarterfinals
Haaland is the most obvious name. His goals against Brazil changed the way Norway are being viewed, from surprise package to genuine threat. He has become the central figure in the tournament’s most intriguing quarterfinal.
Bellingham is England’s emotional and tactical engine. His performance against Mexico was not just about goals. It was about timing, running, defensive recovery and presence in a hostile stadium.
Mbappe remains France’s greatest weapon. Even when he is not dominating possession, he bends the opposition’s structure around him. If Morocco leave space, he can end the contest quickly.
De Ketelaere has become Belgium’s quiet disruptor. His movement, size and elegance make him hard to track, and his role in dismantling the USMNT should not be underestimated.
Pickford and Orjan Nyland could also shape the England-Norway tie. Pickford remains one of the world’s best tournament goalkeepers, while Nyland’s performance against Brazil was central to Norway’s progress.
The under-the-radar names
Not every quarterfinal story will be written by the scorers. Laporte has been central to Spain’s defensive record. Trossard has created more chances than any other player at the tournament so far. Sander Berge rarely gives the ball away and has become crucial to Norway’s balance. Patrick Berg’s intelligence has helped knit Norway’s midfield together.
Dayot Upamecano has been quietly excellent for France, bringing calm to a player once associated with high-profile errors. For Argentina, Lautaro Martinez’s bench impact against Egypt showed why Scaloni’s squad depth matters. For Switzerland, Kobel may again have to be the difference if they are to take Argentina deep.
Semifinalist predictions
The most likely semifinal line-up is France, Spain, England and Argentina.
France remain the strongest all-round side and still appear to have another attacking gear. Spain’s defensive record makes them Belgium’s toughest possible opponent. England’s win in Mexico City suggested they have found new ways to suffer and survive. Argentina may not be fully convincing, but Messi and Scaloni’s side keep finding answers in chaos.
There are obvious upset routes. Morocco can frustrate France and force penalties. Belgium have shown tactical flexibility and could punish Spain if the game opens up. Norway can beat England if Haaland is fed early and Odegaard controls the tempo. Switzerland can drag Argentina into another uncomfortable night.
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Fifa World Cup 2026 semifinal schedule |
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Semifinal |
Match |
Local date and time |
India date and time |
|
Semifinal 1 |
Winner of France vs Morocco vs Winner of Spain vs Belgium |
July 14, 3 pm ET |
July 15, 12:30 am IST |
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Semifinal 2 |
Winner of Norway vs England vs Winner of Argentina vs Switzerland |
July 15, 3 pm ET |
July 16, 12:30 am IST |
Are France still favourites?
Yes, but not without caveats.
France have the deepest attacking unit, tournament experience and the ability to win different types of games. They can overwhelm teams with speed, or grind through tight matches. That combination is why they remain favourites.
Spain are the biggest threat because of their control and defensive record. If they reach a semifinal against France, that may decide the eventual champion. Argentina have Messi and belief, but also defensive cracks. England have resilience and Bellingham, but must first survive Haaland. Norway have the tournament’s most compelling striker-led surge, but the last eight will test whether their collective structure can hold under English pressure.
The World Cup has reached the point where favourites matter less than moments. A Kobel save, a Haaland run, a Bellingham header, a Messi pass, a Mbappe acceleration — any one of them can redraw the bracket.
For now, France remain the team to beat. But this World Cup has already made a habit of turning certainty into chaos.
Sports
Report: Draymond Green returning to Warriors on one-year deal
The veteran forward is returning to the Warriors on a one-year, $27.7 million deal, ESPN‘s Shams Charania reported on Tuesday.
Green had initially opted out of his previous contract in order to give the Warriors flexibility to pursue LeBron James, per Charania, but with his decision to head to Philadelphia instead, the Warriors re-upped with Green.
A four-time NBA all-star, Green was part of dynastic Warriors crew that earned four NBA championships between 2015 and 2022.
In 68 games in 2025-26, the 36-year-old averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 27.5 minutes per game.
Sports
FDA suspends food permits of Cricket Club of India and MIG in Mumbai | Other Sports News
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of the Cricket Club of India (CCI), MIG Cricket Club in Bandra East, and three other clubs in the city for alleged violations of food safety and hygiene norms, officials said on Tuesday.
The CCI’s kitchen lacked segregation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food preparation areas, and FDA inspectors also found a large number of cockroaches and flies near food handling and waste disposal areas, said an official statement.
The FDA under its newly appointed commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has taken action against several famous eateries and food establishments in the city and elsewhere in the state over the last two months.
At the CCI, water was found dripping on stored food inside cold storage, drains were clogged, cutting boards were unhygienic, rotten vegetables, overripe mushrooms and expired food items were stored, and FIFO/FEFO (‘First In, First Out’ and ‘First Expired, First Out’)
Practices and proper food labelling were not followed, it said.
Check CWG 2026 DAY 5 (July 28) LIVE UPDATES, MEDAL NEWS AND INDIA FULL SCHEDULE here
Utensils were placed directly on the floor, and grease, sludge and stagnant water was found accumulated around food preparation areas, the statement further claimed.
It also cited the absence of colour-coded chopping boards which increases the risk of cross-contamination. These violations warranted immediate suspension of the club’s food licence under the Food Safety and Standards Act and related regulations, the authority said.
The food licence of MIG Cricket Club was suspended as an unauthorised catering agency without a valid FSSAI licence was operating from the premises, the FDA said.
The inspection at MIG Cricket Club also found live cockroaches and cobwebs in the kitchen, it said.
Other violations included improper handling and storage of raw, cooked, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, failure to conduct periodic food and water testing, unauthorised structural and management changes without informing the licensing authority, and the absence of qualified technical personnel and mandatory health records of food handlers, the FDA said.
Food licenses of RK Juhu Gymkhana, The Aparna Juhu Gymkhana and The Willindon Sports Club were also suspended for various violations, the release said.
Sports
FIFA plans to form new commercial subsidiary and sell stake
FIFA plans to create a new commercial subsidiary valued at $20 billion (roughly €17.5 billion) and sell non-controlling minority stakes to investors, world football’s governing body announced on Tuesday.
It called on its 211 member federations to back the plan, saying that if they voted in favor they “would benefit immediately from increased funding.”
As soon as the news emerged, European football federation UEFA issued fierce criticism of the plan, saying it “crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.”
The push comes immediately after this summer’s World Cup hosted primarily in the US, with FIFA listing a series of potential investors and advisors from the country. Infantino’s close relationship with US President Donald Trump had already prompted criticism in some corners prior to Tuesday’s announcement, which came a day after Infantino issued a fiery statement defending the tournament in the US and the controversies that accompanied it.
What did FIFA say about the plan?
FIFA said that it planned to set up a “new FIFA-owned and controlled subsidiary consolidating FIFA’s commercial and event operations” that it would call the FIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE.
It said this company would be valued at $20 billion and that FFE 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 FFE.”
FIFA claimed that “all net benefits of FFE will be reinvested back into football worldwide,” without clarifying what constituted “net benefits,” or what gains investors then stood to make.
FFE would be responsible for FIFA’s commercial rights like broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing contracts, the statement said. By far the most valuable of these for FIFA are those connected to the World Cup, although other competitions like the recently and controversially relaunched FIFA Club World Cup also apply.
Ahead of this month’s World Cup final in New York, FIFA President Gianni Infantino had told member associations that he wanted to “unleash the commercial potential and opportunity” of the organization.
Infantino tried to portray the changes as seeking to more evenly spread out football funding and to “democratize” the game, seemingly in a pitch aimed at less wealthy (and more numerous) football associations in particular.
“As its global governing body, FIFA is responsible for making sure the game reaches every corner of the world, and that the value it creates supports federations and communities everywhere. Our next stage of growth needs a structure built for it, one where the commercial side of the game operates as a focused, dedicated business, with its value shared more and better all around the world,” Infantino said in FIFA’s press release.
“We intend to invest heavily even in the smallest or most remote parts of the footballing world, places that are too often passed over,” Infantino said, championing the new investment scheme dubbed the FIFA Fast Forward Programme, or FFFP.
How did UEFA react?
FIFA’s press release was published soon after an article on the website of UK newspaper The Times — followed soon after by the Financial Times, Bloomberg and others — began attracting international attention.
The European football federation UEFA issued a scathing response online soon after the news broke.
“This crosses a line that football’s governing insitutions should never cross,” it said. “UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments, and everyone who cares about the future of the game.”
UEFA said that the “soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially.”
UEFA and FIFA have clashed repeated in recent months and years under Infantino’s stewardship, including during the World Cup this summer.
“None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell,” UEFA argued.
UEFA, however, only represents around one quarter of FIFA’s member associations, so its opposition is by no means guaranteed to halt the plan.
What do we know about the proposed investors and advisors?
FIFA said its structure would be similar to “other sports governing bodies with dedicated commercial subsidiaries,” and said that investors would be selected “against clear long-term, governance and strategic criteria.”
It described ideal investors as long-term partners who could contribute capital and commercial expertise to help FIFA’s goal of growing the game.
“Subject to these final agreements and required approvals, Thrive Eternal, a permanent capital holding company, is expected to lead the proposed investor group for FFE,” FIFA said, referring to the holding company set up this year by Joshua Kushner, brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior negotiator Jared Kushner.
Infantino’s relations with Trump came under scrutiny more than once amid the World Cup process — perhaps most notably when FIFA overturned the red card suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun ahead of defeat against Belgium, and when Donald Trump was given the inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize” in a much-mocked event last December. This came weeks before the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and then the war with Iran.
FIFA also said that Greg Maffei, the CEO of BANN Ventures and formerly “the CEO of Liberty Media during its acquisition and ownership of Formula 1” motor racing, “has been a key commercial advisor and will remain involved in the establishment of FFE in this next phase.”
It said that investment bank JP Morgan was engaged to work alongside FIFA, and Rome-based economic consulting firm OpenEconomic were also “engaging with prospective long-term investors.”
FIFA said that it was trying to set up a geographically diversified investor group and said it had received expressions of interest from every major region in the world.
Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez
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Women’s Hundred highlights: Manchester Super Giants defeat Sunrisers Leeds by four wickets
Smriti Mandhana’s 88-run innings off 50 balls, including four sixes, gives Manchester Super Giants a four-wicket win over Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred at Headingley.
MATCH REPORT: Classy Mandhana helps Super Giants beat Sunrisers
Available to UK users only.
Sports
The Journey to Roberto Mancini’s Return as Italy Head Coach
Roberto Mancini has returned as Italy’s head coach for a second spell after a dramatic few days that saw Andrea Pirlo withdraw from the race and technical director Paolo Maldini resign.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed the appointment on Tuesday, just one day after Pirlo ruled himself out because of controversy surrounding his links to a Russian betting company.
FIGC president Giovanni Malago said Mancini was always his preferred choice.
“I believed that the best person to become head coach was Roberto Mancini,” Malago said.
Mancini takes over from Gennaro Gattuso, who left the role in April after Italy failed to qualify for a third straight FIFA World Cup. Under-21 coach Silvio Baldini had been in temporary charge.
The appointment comes during a period of major changes within the national team. Paolo Maldini, who had been named technical director only two weeks earlier, resigned after the decision not to appoint Pirlo. Adviser Leonardo also stepped down, while Claudio Ranieri has been named as the new technical director.
Mancini is no stranger to the Italy job. He first took charge in 2018 and guided the Azzurri to victory at Euro 2020, beating England in the final at Wembley. He also led Italy on a world-record 37-match unbeaten run.
However, his first spell ended in 2023 after Italy failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, losing to North Macedonia in the play-offs.
Before returning to the national team, Mancini managed Saudi Arabia and later Qatari club Al Sadd, where he won the Qatar Stars League before leaving the club in June.
At club level, Mancini enjoyed success with Inter Milan, Lazio and Manchester City, where he guided City to their first Premier League title in 2012.
His second spell as Italy coach begins with a UEFA Nations League home match against Belgium on 25 September, followed by an away game against Turkey three days later.
Sports
Wednesday Racing Tips: Best Bets & Odds Glorious Goodwood Day Two
It’s day two at Glorious Goodwood with the Sussex Stakes the feature on the card. We have four selections for you using the best odds from betting sites.
Before you place your bet check out the best Goodwood betting offers to claim free bets, bet boosts and more.
Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (13.50, Goodwood)
Tuesday began well for us with Al Aali, so let’s see if lightning is capable of striking twice.
Hatteen is an interesting runner on his handicap debut for the Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy combination, which regulars will know is one I have a lot of time for. He was an impressive winner at Doncaster last time (1m4f, good to firm) and enters handicaps off a mark of 88, which gives him scope to improve again.
He is much respected but a pretty skinny price at the same time, with Infraad (William Haggas/Tom Marquand) another with potential and Cannes an interesting contender sent from Ireland by the excellent Joseph O’Brien.
The latter has to bounce back after a lack lustre run at Royal Ascot but I’d definitely not be writing him off and a win would not surprise. However, a really interesting entrant is BALTIC FLEET, who I am happy to take a chance on to small stakes at a good price on betting apps.
He’s 20/1 at the time of writing and that looks attractive. He ran well on his handicap debut at York (1m4f, good) in May and followed that with a better effort when second in a small field at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) last time.
After that race, he was bought out of George Boughey’s yard for £170,000 and is now at Ian Williams’ Worcestershire yard. I’d be pretty confident there is more to come from him, given that the horses that filled first and third at Wolverhampton have both gone on to win since, so that form is working out well.
William Buick rides for the first time and if the unexposed Space Blues gelding can continue his rise, he could go much closer than his current price suggests.
Goodwood day two racing tip 1: Baltic Fleet (Goodwood, 13.50) – 1pt each-way @ 20/1 (William Hill)
A cracking Group 3 contest where the front two in the market, Sayidah Dariyan and FLORA OF BERMUDA, both have to prove they’ll get home over this far.
We sided with Royal Velvet at Royal Ascot but it appears she might have just gone over the top on her last two starts, while Zanthos does get this trip and is a danger and Planet Seeker – who dead-heated for first in this last year – is another who should be involved.
However, I’m just siding with Flora Of Bermuda because she’s such a good, consistent yardstick for a sprinter. She’s officially the best in this field over shorter than this but I think she’ll see it out, as she wasn’t stopping when winning the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville (6½f, good to firm).
She’s a strong finisher with a good attitude and she represents a stable (Andrew Balding) that’s in good form and I am surprised that, at the time of writing, she’s not heading the market. She did, after all, beat the market leader by 2l last time they met and they meet on the same terms this time. Hopefully she can head the field past the post.
Goodwood day two racing tip 2: Flora Of Bermuda (Goodwood, 15.00) – 1pt win @ 7/2 (William Hill)
Speedy juveniles to the fore here with Richard Hannon-trained Pershaada heading the market after a C&D novice win and a fourth in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, where she was a place in front of CROWNBREAKER.
I think the latter represents a bit of value at a bigger price than the favourite on horse racing betting sites, having shown her 100/1 Queen Mary fifth to be no fluke by heading to France and winning in Listed company since.
She’s got bags of pace and while there may be less exposed contenders, I actually think her extra experience could prove positive in a race like this. With her trainer among the winners, she looks a lively each-way player who could prove up to winning this.
The unbeaten Adonius could be anything but will have to improve on what he’s produced to add to his CV, while El Floridita is another who is not ruled out.
Goodwood day two racing tip 3: Crownbreaker (Goodwood, 15.35) – 1pt each-way @ 9/2 (Bet365)
While we can’t dismiss outsiders out of hand after what happened with Qirat last year, it really would be a big surprise if this prestigious prize didn’t go to one of the three leading contenders, Opera Ballo, Gstaad or BOW ECHO.
It may not be original to side with the favourite but he’s earned that tag and I think he’ll be better suited by this quicker track than he was at Royal Ascot in the St James’s Palace Stakes (1m, good to firm) last time.
His 2,000 Guineas win was the best performance in that race since the great Frankel and I think that’s always worth bearing in mind. He’s beaten Gstaad fair and square and although there may not be too much in it any longer, he holds the cards.
I am also a big fan of Aidan O’Brien and I can see the argument that he is also still improving, especially as he pushed the selection much closer at the Royal meeting.
He wouldn’t be an undeserving winner but he’s got it to do and he’s officially still got 5lb to find with George Boughey’s mount. That’s considerable and if you’re backing him you’re surely having to do so hoping that the favourite misfires.
Opera Ballo is, in fact, the second best on official ratings as they go to post and he’s a Group 1 winner who has a CV that reads 7-10. He’s the best of the older horses but it will be tough for both he and Ten Bob Tony to successfully concede 8lb to both Bow Echo and Gstaad.
Goodwood day two racing tip 4: Bow Echo (Goodwood, 16.10) – 3pts win @ 5/4 (Betfred)
It is important to practice safer gambling online, and regulated bookmakers can help bettors stay in control of their betting through their detailed safer gambling hubs.
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Sports
New Runner Arrives in Twin Cities as Vikings Shore Up RB Depth

Opting for a runner made some sense given the recent news about shuffling a young running back to an injury list. That predictable outcome has arrived, as the team’s official social media clarifies.
The Vikings shored up the RB depth by signing Jordan Mims. By no means a lock for the final roster, Mr. Mims nevertheless finds himself with a chance to latch onto a Vikings team that’s desperate for a respectable rushing attack. Whoever wins the QB1 job will be greatly aided by a potent ground attack. Mims will be trying to show that he’s got enough upside to warrant a spot once September football arrives.
Vikings Shore Up RB Depth
In 2023, the Buffalo Bills brought Jordan Mims into the NFL as an undrafted talent. He did so with the promise of $12,000 in guaranteed cash.
— READ MORE: Vikings Step into Batter’s Box and Take a Good Swing —
— READ MORE: Vikings Begin Pruning Roster with 3 Moves —
— READ MORE: A 53-Man Roster Projection as Training Camp Begins —
Mims didn’t settle into Buffalo for very long. His next opportunities arrived in New Orleans, Tennessee, and San Francisco. In fact, he played against Minnesota last preaseason while working as a Titans employee, turning his 13 carries into 40 yards. The Vikings, in other words, have seen Mr. Mims before, possibly influencing the decision to sign him.

In the regular season, Mims has played in 108 snaps on offense and 71 snaps on specials. Very likely, folks, that the best thing he can do for his NFL career is prove to be an absolute monster on specials. Matt Daniels, perhaps, will task him with some responsibility for Minnesota’s special teams.
His career statistics show 20 carries for 70 scoreless yards. Pretty humdrum. More promising, perhaps, is that he has caught 12 passes for 71 yards. Versatility is coveted in the Twin Cities. And, at the very least, there’s some live regular season football within his past to build off of as he looks to secure a lasting home as a pro runner.
Prior to getting into the NFL, Jordan Mims played for Fresno State. His final collegiate season features some eye-popping statistics: 261 carries, 1,372 yards, and 18 touchdowns. Even better, Mims secured 21 catches for 126 yards and 1 touchdown.
So, there was some reason to give the talented runner from an unheralded college a shot.
He has since bounced around, which is bad news since he hasn’t found a permanent NFL home. Putting a more positive spin on on things would mean acknowledging that he keeps getting a chance, suggesting that the NFL still sees upside in him.

The Minnesota Vikings welcome the full team to TCO Performance Center today. Doing so follows welcoming the rookies on Sunday to get training camp rolling. Soon enough, head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Nolan Teasley will step in front of the microphone for a press conference.
Jordan Mims, 27, is the latest add (alongside veteran safety Jamal Adams). He stands at 6’0″ and weighs 205 pounds.
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English cricket club under fire after ‘Clicky Ponting’ finger-click cheating claim goes viral | Cricket News
An amateur cricket match in England has found itself at the centre of a major controversy after a fielder was accused of using a finger-clicking trick to fool the umpire into giving a batter out. The incident, which has gone viral on social media and is now being called “Clickgate” or “Clicky Ponting”, occurred during a North Yorkshire and South Durham (NYSD) Cricket League Division Two match between Saltburn Cricket Club 2nd XI and Norton Cricket Club.
What happened?
The controversy revolves around a dismissal involving Norton batter Noman Shabir. As the bowler delivered the ball, it passed close to Shabir’s bat without appearing to make contact. At that exact moment, a Saltburn fielder stationed at first slip clicked his fingers, creating a sharp sound that closely resembled the noise of the ball edging the bat. The wicketkeeper caught the ball cleanly, Saltburn’s players immediately appealed, and the umpire, believing he had heard an edge, gave the batter out.Shabir protested the decision, insisting he had not touched the ball, but the umpire stood by his verdict. A video of the incident quickly spread across social media, with many viewers claiming the finger click had deliberately deceived the umpire.Saltburn won by 159 runs and are top of Division 2 by 18 points.
More allegations surface
The controversy did not stop with the viral video. Following the incident, cricket fans began analysing Saltburn’s statistics and previous matches. One statistic that attracted attention was wicketkeeper Josh Bowes’ tally of 31 catches in just eight matches, including eight catches in a single innings against Shildon Railway.For comparison, the world record for catches by a wicketkeeper in a men’s Test innings is seven, making the figure unusual enough to fuel further speculation, although the statistic alone is not evidence of wrongdoing.Soon after, Rory Cotterill, captain of Middlesbrough Second XI, publicly claimed his side had experienced two similar finger-clicking incidents during a defeat to Saltburn earlier in the season. Another video from a separate match against Wolviston FC has also emerged online, showing a batter being dismissed under similar circumstances, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the club.
League launches investigation
The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League confirmed it has received a formal complaint and has opened an investigation.In a statement, the league said: “The league have received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in a Division Two game on Saturday. A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete no further comment will be made.”The unusual incident has attracted worldwide attention. The original video has been viewed more than five million times on X (formerly Twitter), while cricket fans from around the world have debated whether the dismissal should stand.Former newspaper editor and television presenter Piers Morgan also reacted, describing the player involved as the “biggest cheat in cricket history”, a comment that further amplified the controversy online.
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