South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday to reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history, an astonishing turnaround after a dismal opening defeat.
The Bafana Bafana, playing in a World Cup for the first time since they hosted it in 2010, were widely written off after their 2-0 loss to Group A winners Mexico in the tournament’s curtain raiser.
But they battled to a draw against the Czech Republic and came out on top of what was effectively a shootout with South Korea for second place in Monterrey, thanks to Thapelo Maseko’s second-half strike.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos said it was difficult to put his side’s achievement into words.
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“We scored that goal, and it was 20 minutes of heartbeating and hoping that the game should be finished as soon as possible,” said the Belgian.
“So yes, we are in the second round. It’s historic. But I’m very happy for the guys. I’ve worked with them for five years. And what we did in those five years is amazing.”
South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo made a shock call by leaving captain Son Heung-min — considered by many to be Asia’s greatest-ever player — out of the starting line-up.
The Asian team started strongly, with stand-in captain Kim Min-jae’s powerful header blocked on the goalline by Aubrey Modiba before Lee Kang-in flashed wide.
South Africa quickly settled, playing with hunger and adventure, but their finishing was wasteful.
They seemed certain to take the lead in the 30th minute when the ball fell to Evidence Makgopa after South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu parried Thalente Mbatha’s shot.
But Makgopa could only tamely poke the ball straight at the goalkeeper from close range.
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Son came on at the start of the second half, one of three changes made by coach Hong as he sought to change the script.
Early in the second period Maseko squandered another good position while South Korea forward Oh Hyeon-gyu tested goalkeeper Ronwen Williams at the other end.
As news filtered through from Mexico City that the host nation were leading against the Czech Republic, there was an added sense of urgency.
South Africa seized their moment with Tshepang Moremi crossing to Maseko, who this time kept his cool, firing home inside the near post in the 63rd minute.
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South Korea pushed hard in the closing stages but ran out of time, meaning South Africa will face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on June 28.
Ochoa’s sixth World Cup finals
Co-hosts Mexico topped the group with nine points after winning all three of their matches.
El Tri completed their first round with a 100% record after romping past the Czech Republic 3-0 in the Estadio Azteca.
Mexico move on to a last-32 match in the same stadium on June 30 while the Czechs return home after finishing bottom of the group.
Mateo Chavez gave Mexico the lead in the 55th minute and Julian Quinones took advantage of disarray in the Czech defence six minutes later to extend the lead.
Alvaro Fidalgo completed a sparkling evening for the Mexicans as he smashed in a cross four minutes into added time.
Mexico even brought on goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa as a second-half substitute, allowing the veteran to play in a sixth World Cup finals at the age of 40
The Honkai Star Rail 4.5 drip marketing campaign is upon us, as the second half of the ongoing patch has commenced. As usual, the developers are expected to announce at least two 5-star units that will become playable during the update. Since version 4.5’s drip marketing is right around the corner, players might wonder about the characters alongside the schedule.
In this article, we discuss the expected schedule and characters of the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 drip marketing campaign.
Note: Some aspects of this article are based on speculations. Readers are advised to take the information herein with a grain of salt.
Honkai Star Rail 4.5 drip marketing campaign schedule speculation
Aventurine (Image via HoYoverse)
According to past schedules, the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 drip marketing campaign is likely to commence on June 30, 2026. As for the timing, HoYoverse is expected to announce the limited-time 5-star unit at 12:00 pm (CST/UTC+8). If the developers decide to announce two characters, the second one will be revealed the next day at 12 pm.
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Since the abovementioned time is for players in Asia, Trailblazers from other regions might wonder when the characters will be announced for them. For those curious, we have listed the expected date and time of HSR 4.5’s drip marketing campaign:
Date
Time
Timezone
June 29, 2026
9:00 pm
Pacific Daylight Time (UTC-7)
June 30, 2026
6:00 am
Central European Summer Time (UTC+2)
June 30, 2026
12:00 pm
China Standard Time (UTC+8)
Honkai Star Rail 4.5 drip marketing campaign character announcements speculation
Besides the HSR 4.5 drip marketing campaign’s schedule, players are more excited about the characters. According to a reliable third-party source, Sakura Haven, two units are expected to become playable during the said update. According to their information, these two characters will likely be Robin SP and Aventurine SP. Hence, there is a chance of these two units being a part of the campaign. Furthermore, the leak suggests the former will tread on the Remembrance Path, while the latter will supposedly follow the Elation Path.
Moving on, there is no information regarding a 4-star character joining the playable roster in HSR 4.5 or anytime soon. Most leaks revolving around upcoming units are generally 5-stars.
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For more articles related to this gacha title from HoYoverse, Honkai Star Rail, check out the following section:
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On Thursday morning (June 25), an X user who goes by @lilydaily and runs a phone case brand store online tweeted about BTS V – whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung – buying a tiger skin phone case from her.
Nearly half an hour later, Lily returned to the platform, writing that the star had seen her post and even DM’d her on Instagram.
She also attached a screenshot of their interaction on the social media platform. It was later translated by K-Pop fans on X. Here’s a rough translation of the chat:
V: So you were an ARMY~
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Lily: Oh my goodness… Hello! If you surprise me like this, I’m seriously going to cry… I’m truly always rooting for you.
V: I’ll be rooting for you, too~
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The tweet has since gone viral on X, with more than 3 million views, 26K likes, and 7.5K retweets. Netizens are swooning over Tae-hyung‘s thoughtful gesture, commenting on it:
“Imagine taehyung dming you…i’d pass out”
The ARMYs filled the comments section with praises and cheers for the Singularitysinger:
imagine.. kim taehyung bought ur product and DM you… the kim taehyung, the diVa, the angel, the baddie, a literal gorgeous goddess, im gonna kms.
hes literally so sweet oh my god this is why my baby taetae is so loved
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THE WAY HE SHOWED APPRECIATION AND ALSO HE TALKS WITH ARMY’S AND FANS AS IF WE HAVE BEEN BEST FRIENDS FOR LIFE IS SWEETEST THING POSSIBLE!! 😭😭
To get a DM from THEE kim taehyung 😭😭 he’s so precious and so sweet
it’s always great seeing how beautiful fan interactions can be when ppl act normal 😭 like she didn’t beg tae for a folllow or a repost and wasn’t acting like he owed her smth 😭
i will genuinely f**king die i love him so much
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The tweet comes as the BTS has landed in Spain this week, all set for the next leg of their ARIRANG Tour,with performances scheduled in Madrid’s Riyadh Air Metropolitano for two consecutive nights – June 26 and 27.
The next destination of the BTS is Belgium (July 1 & 2), followed by England (July 6 & 7), Germany (July 11 & 12), and eventually France (July 17 & 18), before wrapping it up for the month. The US leg of the BTS tour will kick off in August.
BTS V defended a friend from the military online
While Tae-hyung’s DM to an ARMY phone case brand owner has made his fans swoon, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, V is known for making such gestures.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Tae-hyung came to the defence of a colleague from his time in the military. The man, named Kim Ki Tae, was a former member of the Special Duty Team in the army and made videos on Instagram.
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In one of his videos, Ki Tae spoke about having worked alongside V in the military, sharing memories of the same. While some netizens enjoyed the behind-the-scenes peek into V’s military life, others slammed him for using the star’s name to get attention.
As the criticism rang louder, Tae-hyung was quick to come to Ki Tae’s rescue, posting a lengthy Instagram story. V started by asking him how he was doing, before looking back at the fun they had back in the military days.
He then went on to encourage his friend, suggesting that he shouldn’t take every criticism too heavily and continue to make content that brings him peace. V even called him an absolute ace of their squad and made an inside joke about bench pressing.
CHASKA, Minn. — With sincere apologies to 155 players in the field at this week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National, one storyline looms above all the others.
You can blame Nelly Korda for that.
Korda has already won the first two majors of 2026 — the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open — and she’s now attempting to win a third straight.
With a victory this week, she’d be just the third player to win the first three majors of the season (and first since Inbee Park in 2013). But just as importantly, she’d clinch her spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame. The LPGA has a unique points system to gain entry into its hall — no vote necessary — and a major win this week would be worth two points, which would be enough to give Korda the 27 necessary.
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Nelly Korda, as a reminder, is still just 27 years old.
“I think I have a very in-the-moment mindset this year, which I’m just trying to take towards the end of the year,” Korda said Wednesday. “No matter what happens, I’ve just told myself if I am lifting the trophy — like, that is obviously the main goal at the end the week — I’m going to prepare or focus on my preparation and know that I’m 100 percent confident in it and lean on that.”
Korda’s been fantastic this season, much like she was two years ago, when she won seven times. Last year she never missed a cut and had nine top-10 finishes but failed to win. This year? She’s back to lifting trophies.
In her first eight starts of the season, she won four times and was the runner-up three times. She also tied for 8th once. Her worst start of the year came two weeks ago, when she played the Dow Championship, a team event, with friend Olivia Cowan and tied for 17th.
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Korda leads the LPGA in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green and Off the Tee. She’s second in SG: Approach and third in SG: Around the Greens. Even putting she’s 22nd.
And perhaps most importantly, she’s entering this week refreshed. She was tired and didn’t sleep well at the Dow, and she left Michigan for NYC for her delayed U.S. Women’s Open media tour after the tournament Sunday night. She spent that Monday in NYC, made an appearance on the “Today” show, stopped at the New York Stock Exchange and took a late flight home to Florida. She took Tuesday off and returned to practice on Wednesday. She landed in Minnesota on Sunday, played nine Monday, 18 Tuesday and the front nine Wednesday.
Then she met with the media to talk about what it’s like dealing with this kind of pressure. One thing may help: if she’s not aware of what’s at stake, what is there to worry about? Korda admitted Wednesday she had no idea how many points are needed to enter the Hall of Fame (27) or how many she even has (25).
That’s by design.
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“I kind of like to be oblivious about it in that way,” said Korda, who begins her first round at 9:17 a.m. ET on Thursday. “I know a lot about the stuff that I want to know about, but this, I don’t want to put extra pressure on myself. I feel like the game of golf is already hard enough. If I add more pressure on myself then it’s going to be even harder. I think it’s an amazing accomplishment and it would be one of the best achievements of my career, for sure.”
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stephen F Austin defensive back Chuck Demmings (DB07) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
OTAs and minicamp are in the rearview mirror, and training camp will be here in late July after the players and coaches take a month of vacation, except for Kyler Murray, who wisely says he is sticking around and continuing his efforts to master the Vikings offense during this downtime.
With that in mind, here’s my list of the top 15 things I will pay closest attention to when the Vikings open training camp and hit the field for the first padded practice on August 3.
Jeff Diamond Has His Eyes on Vikings’ Biggest Summer Questions
1. Kyler Murray: He had an uneven performance in OTAs and minicamp (including two interceptions on the first day of minicamp) as he dealt with the learning curve of mastering a new, complex Kevin O’Connell-directed offense. This is not cause for alarm unless he struggles in training camp, in limited snaps during the preseason games, and especially during the two days of joint practices with the Ravens in Week 3 of training camp.
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I applaud his doing extra work in this dead period as an indication that Murray realizes he has a great opportunity to revitalize his career with a very good supporting cast led by elite WRs in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and his offensive line should be a top unit if center Blake Brandel is a quality center and the other starters stay healthy.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Dillon Bell appears in team-produced content after joining the organization as an undrafted free agent. On June 8, 2026, the Vikings featured Bell in released media as he continued offseason work in Minnesota, preparing for a summer roster battle and an opportunity to earn a spot on the regular-season squad. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Murray seems to be at a career crossroads, and a big season will likely lead to another $50 million-plus-per-year contract with the Vikings or elsewhere. So he’ll clearly be the focal point #1 in training camp for his coaches and fellow players, along with media and fans. Now he needs to perform at the level expected for a first overall pick and not complain about how many reps he gets in training camp, which smacked of excuse-making when he made the rep comments in minicamp.
2. J.J. McCarthy: O’Connell and players such as Jefferson talked this offseason about McCarthy making positive strides in the offense and with his mechanics. I believe Murray and McCarthy will both start games this season, as injuries have been a problem for both. If Murray gets hurt or struggles as the expected starter, McCarthy will be ready to pounce on the opportunity, and then it might be tough for Murray to dislodge him, with McCarthy seemingly more of the long-term answer at the position.
J.J. also has to be careful with his public comments and talk team-first. People—especially in the national media —tend to downplay that McCarthy played well, winning his last four starts with a passer rating over 100 and a completion percentage around 64%. I certainly haven’t given up on his future at 23 years old, and I don’t think anyone at Vikings HQ has either.
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3. Caleb Banks: O’Connell said he thinks the No. 1 pick will be ready to go on Day 1 of training camp. After seeing him standing around in minicamp, I’ll be mildly surprised if his broken foot is healed to the point that he’s full go when the pads come on that first week of camp. If he’s working with the first unit in the Ravens’ joint practices, that will be a big win for the team. And if he starts every game at defensive tackle this season, count me as very surprised given his injury history.
Banks is being counted on to start in his rookie year, and perhaps he’ll have a chip on his shoulder after many draft analysts said he was a reach in the mid-first round. The Vikings need Banks and third-rounder Domonique Orange to be impact players on the D-line right out of the gate against Green Bay on September 13.
4. Jake Golday: The second-round pick worked almost exclusively at inside linebacker in OTAs and minicamp despite O’Connell saying on draft day that he envisioned Golday as a combo edge and inside backer with his size, strength, and athletic ability. He should get a ton of reps at edge/outside backer in camp as the Vikings need him to be the relief/rotational edge rusher behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner to soften the loss of Jonathan Greenard. Comparisons have been made between Golday and Van Ginkel, so let’s see him in that spot.
Golday played both edge and inside in college, so he has the versatility and the athleticism to do either job. But with Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, and Ivan Pace at inside backer, it’s obvious Golday’s greatest impact this season will be if he’s that third edge rusher/OLB and does it well. I’ll be closely watching where he lines up in camp and how he looks.
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If Golday can’t be a contributor on the edge as a rookie, I think there’s a good chance the team will try to sign a proven veteran pass rusher such as Jadeveon Clowney or Haason Reddick if they’re still available as a playoff caliber team has to have more than two capable edge rushers and I don’t see that kind of production coming from the likes of Bo Richter, Chaz Chambliss or Tyler Batty who are other edge/OLBs in camp.
5. Blake Brandel: I think the Vikings missed the boat on several quality centers in free agency and in the early rounds of the draft. I don’t begrudge them if the players they took in the early draft rounds had higher grades. But the center is so important to the O-line and the quarterback in terms of his responsibilities as a run blocker, pass protector, and in making the line calls.
On Nov 10, 2024, in Jacksonville, Minnesota Vikings guard Blake Brandel (64) went through his pregame routine at EverBank Stadium before facing the Jaguars. The lineman has become a versatile piece along the offensive front, working in different roles when injuries and lineup changes occur. His steady presence continues to provide value for Minnesota’s offensive unit heading into critical stretches. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.
Brandel has made 31 starts over his five-year career, mostly at guard, but he did start a couple of games at center in relief of the injured Ryan Kelly last season and seemed to do ok. If Brandel proves to be a quality center and the rest of the O-line stays healthy, the team should have one of the league’s best units.
6. Jakobe Thomas: The Vikings passed on top safeties Dillon Thieneman and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the first two rounds and waited until pick No. 98 in the third round to select Thomas, whom the Vikings coaches and player personnel staff highly praised. Whether Harrison Smith returns or not, I think Thomas still needs to play regularly as a rookie and quickly beat out Theo Jackson and Jay Ward for the third safety spot if Smith is back, or the second starting safety spot with Josh Metellus if Smith retires.
Thomas needs to be the safety who can run with receivers deep and play underneath routes against tight ends, while also being a run stopper. I think he’s a somewhat under-the-radar critical player in the secondary this season.
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7. James Pierre: The ex-Steeler corner was signed in free agency to be the Vikings’ third corner, who is expected to get a lot of snaps along with Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers, unless fifth-round pick Charles Demmings supplants him. Pierre was targeted by DC Brian Flores and DB coach Gerald Alexander, who both worked with Pierre in Pittsburgh.
With so many teams having three quality wide receivers on the field on over half the snaps, the third corner is a critical position that quarterbacks will often target. Pierre needs to play well, or Demmings has to come on quickly.
8. Dallas Turner: He made big strides in his second season as a 2024 first-rounder when he led the team with eight sacks and added 15 QB hits, 66 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, and four forced fumbles. With Greenard gone, the pressure is on Turner to become a double-digit sack artist who strips the QB and also plays the run well.
He’s still only 23 years old and looks to have a great future as a Pro Bowl-quality edge rusher. He needs to keep hitting the weight room to get bigger and stronger to go along with his 4.46 speed. A big year for Turner will be a huge boon to the defense.
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9. Andrew Van Ginkel: Speaking of critical pieces on defense, a healthy Van Ginkel is a must after he missed five games last season with a neck injury. His stats dropped from 11.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, 79 tackles, and two Pick-6s in his Pro Bowl season of 2024 to seven sacks, 11 TFLs, 54 tackles, and no picks last season, but he was still impactful when he was healthy and playing.
Van Ginkel is one of the most instinctual defenders I’ve ever seen when he’s at his best. He’s a game-changer that NFL offensive coordinators have to account for, and he has to play well for the Vikings’ defense to be a top unit.
10. Justin Jefferson: He’s the most popular Viking among fans at training camp, and we’re always watching Jets in camp, so he has to make my list of players I’ll be paying attention to. We know he won’t get any snaps in preseason games, which is the smart approach by the coaches, but he always competes hard in practices and joint practices. It will be fun to see how well he and Murray (and McCarthy) connect in camp.
Jefferson is looking for a big bounce-back season after his production dropped from 103 catches for 1,553 yards and 10 TDs in 2024 with Sam Darnold to 84 catches for 1,048 yards and only two TDs with McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer last season. And he’s also a team captain, so he’ll be a highly motivated player in camp and on into the season.
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11. Demond Claiborne: The sixth-round pick brings the element of elite speed (4.37 in the 40) to the running back corps. He was a dual-threat player as a fine runner (5.1-yard average in 2025) and good receiving back (28 catches last season) at Wake Forest. He was also a good kick returner in college.
Vikings rookie running back Demond Claiborne participates in rookie minicamp during May 2026 at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan. Minnesota selected Claiborne in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft after an accomplished college career at Wake Forest, where he earned attention for his burst, vision, and ability to contribute in multiple offensive situations. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
We should see a lot of snaps for Claiborne in the preseason games, and I expect him to be a crowd favorite with his speed and agility. I’m excited to see how he performs and if he can be a viable option as a third back behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason this season, with a potential bigger role in the future.
12. Charles Demmings: See No. 7 (James Pierre) above regarding Demmings potential battle for the third corner or at least becoming the fourth corner who gets play time in certain defensive schemes and in the event of injury to the other corners.
He’s a 4.4 guy with good size at 6-1, 193 pounds who can run with wide receivers and should be able to play the run, but it’s a big leap from a smaller college, Stephen F. Austin, to the NFL. I want to see Demmings trying to cover the Vikings’ top three WRs in camp—Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings, and he should get a lot of playing time in the preseason games.
13. T.J. Hockenson: The two-time Pro Bowl tight end is now a couple of years removed from his ACL injury late in the 2023 season that limited him in 2024, and then his production was lessened by the QB carousel last season (51 receptions for 438 yards and three TDs).
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The Vikings need the 28-year-old Hockenson to be back in his 2023 form before the injury, when he had a career-best 95 catches for 960 yards and five TDs. I’ll be watching how he connects with the Vikings QBs and whether he appears to be a big part of the offense as an intermediate receiver, along with how he does with his run blocking.
14. Aaron Jones: After a stellar 2024 season with 1,138 rushing yards, 408 receiving yards, and seven combined TDs when he played in every game, Jones missed five games last season with various injuries (most notably a hamstring that landed him on IR), and his stats dropped to 548 rushing yards, 199 receiving yards, and three combined TDs.
He’s 31 years old and took a pay cut to return to the Vikings, but he can still be a dynamic player when healthy. How much does he have left in the tank? We’ll be watching for early clues at camp.
15. Brian O’Neill & Christian Darrisaw: It’s nice for a team to enter training camp without a lot of contract drama. O’Neill is a top right tackle when healthy. He turns 31 in September and is seeking an extension, as he is in the final year of his contract. He’s a team captain, so I don’t expect him to be a hold-in as he was during part of the offseason program (though he did practice at minicamp).
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Let’s see how the new GM, Nolan Teasley, handles O’Neill’s contract. He can reduce his 2026 cap hit significantly from the current $23 million with a three or four-year extension, and that could be money needed to add a vet edge rusher.
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) lines up during first-half action against an NFC opponent, Dec 7, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The blindside protector continues to work back into form following a major knee injury that affected his availability and consistency during the season. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
And while I’m talking about OTs, the Vikings need Darrisaw to return to top form as a Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle who stays on the field after dealing with the aftermath of his 2024 ACL injury that had him in and out of the lineup last season.
Around the NFL: Thoughts on the continuing Brendan Sorsby saga
The NFL has refused to allow Sorsby to participate in a supplemental draft and has told him to enter the 2027 draft. Sorsby’s attorney has said that’s a violation of the player’s legal rights and the CBA. Will Sorsby sue the league or ask the NFL Players’ Association to file a grievance in an attempt to force his entry?
It probably would be best for all parties if Sorsby would take this year off while he collects his NIL money from Texas Tech and continues his treatment for his gambling issues. But this case will probably head to the courts or an NFL grievance hearing, so it will likely be an ongoing saga over the next few months.
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Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was selected NFL Executive of the Year … More about Jeff Diamond
MEXICO CITY — Fans at Mexico’s final World Cup group stage match on Wednesday chanted a slur that has previously led to fines and other sanctions against the country’s soccer federation.
The slur, which literally means male prostitute in Spanish, could be heard at the Azteca stadium toward the end of the first half when Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar took a goal kick.
The chant has cost Mexico hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines levied by FIFA. It rose to popularity roughly 25 years ago and is used to intimidate goalkeepers when they take goal kicks.
It went viral in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and was heard again in Russia during the 2018 World Cup and four years later in Qatar. It has persisted despite attempts by the Mexican soccer federation to stop it.
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Mexico had already advanced to the knockout phase as Group A winners ahead of the match against the Czech Republic.
Aug 17, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell meets with Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski before the game at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Brought down to the basics, football is about a team winning and not individuals playing well.
Kevin O’Connell is leading a QB1 battle in the Twin Cities. In all likelihood, the QB who is better will end up being named the starter. What’s important to remember, though, is that individual performance isn’t the sole, deciding criteria. Not, at least, if we are taking O’Connell’s recent words seriously. Minnesota’s skipper is going to choose the passer who best allows the team to win.
Envision a scenario where an ultra-talented passer has a serious off-field issues. Maybe that’s an instance where simply being the best player doesn’t translate to the team being in a better spot to win a bunch of games.
Or, perhaps, there’s a superior quarterback overall who isn’t a scheme fit. The hypothetical passer wants to function in a seven-step drop offense that’s commonly leaning on four verticals. The offense, meanwhile, is a better fit for screens, shallow crossing routes, and the occasional deep bomb.
The point: there’s a small amount of daylight between the best passer in isolation and then the best passer for a specific team.
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Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) talks to an official prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Check out some of what he said about who will win the QB1 competition. What’s the key criteria:
“Both those guys have done some really, really good things and I think they’re elevating our football team.”
“We want to make sure by the time we play the Green Bay Packers that there’s been ample time to have the best possible offense we can have to help our football team. And the quarterback’s going to play a big role in that.”
“Ultimately, what’s best for the Minnesota Vikings is going to be the direction we go.”
“That player that elevates the group as a whole is going to be the guy that’s under center against the Green Bay Packers.”
“Ultimately, a very simple answer in the end: what’s best for the Minnesota Vikings to win games. And activate the really good players we have around them in that offensive huddle.”
Last year, the Vikings won nine games in spite of the quarterbacks. O’Connell wants to remove that tension by winning games due to the quarterback.
The Vikings’ task therefore involves discovering the identity of the individual quarterback who best allows the team to thrive. Generally speaking, the best quarterback gives the team the best shot to win, but there are times when that’s not necessarily so.
If, for instance, Kyler Murray is an inferior talent who nevertheless finds a way to let Justin Jefferson feast, allows the offensive line to play fast and physical, as well as put the broader team in a good spot, then Murray will indeed be the starter. Factors such as intangibles — leadership, grit, and other attributes — can be worked into the mix, as well.
Football is a team game played by humans. The quarterback therefore needs to be individually excellent but, more importantly, capable of letting the other humans on his team to be excellent. Kevin O’Connell is therefore going to describe his best quarterback as the one who best allows the team to win.
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Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) slaps hands with Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell after a made field goal against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.
Being the most accurate is great but not the final criteria. Likewise, being able to elude pressure, throw the ball the farthest, or any number of other things aren’t going to be the determining factor. Each of these parts of the game are positive but are a means to an end.
What the Vikings most want to see is a quarterback who fuels victories. Last year, the goal involved building a roster so formidable that even a passer experiencing normal growing pains could still win. Two errors were made. First, the roster wasn’t a juggernaut, merely quite good. Second, the quarterback play was a lot worse than expected.
Brazil’s Vinicius Junior (7) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Vinícius Júnior continued his outstanding FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign by writing his name into Brazilian football history during the Seleção’s 3-0 victory over Scotland. The Real Madrid forward scored twice in Miami to become the first Brazilian player in 24 years to score in all three group-stage matches of a World Cup, matching a feat last achieved by Ronaldo Nazário and Rivaldo during Brazil’s triumphant 2002 campaign.The brace also lifted Vinícius to four goals in this tournament, placing him firmly among the leading contenders for the Golden Boot as Brazil progressed into the Round of 32 as Group C winners.
Vinícius joins an exclusive list of Brazilian legends
Brazil has produced some of the greatest World Cup forwards the game has ever seen, yet only five players have managed to score in each of the nation’s three group-stage matches at a single tournament.Vinícius has now joined Jairzinho (1970), Romário (1994), Ronaldo (2002) and Rivaldo (2002) on that exclusive list, becoming the first Brazilian in nearly a quarter of a century to accomplish the milestone.His remarkable consistency has come throughout Brazil’s entire group-stage campaign. He opened his tournament account by rescuing a 1-1 draw against Morocco before scoring and providing an assist during Brazil’s comfortable 3-0 victory over Haiti. Against Scotland, he produced his finest display yet, scoring twice to complete the record-breaking sequence.
Scotland punished by Vinícius’ clinical finishing
Brazil needed only seven minutes to establish control in Miami. Pressing Scotland high up the pitch, Vinícius capitalised on a misplaced pass from Scott McKenna, collected the loose ball inside the penalty area and calmly guided a low finish beyond Angus Gunn to give Brazil an early lead.
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Brazil’s Vinicius Junior (7) celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
He thought he had doubled the advantage midway through the first half after another flowing move, only for VAR to rule the goal out because of a foul by Marquinhos during the build-up.The second goal eventually arrived deep into first-half stoppage time. After Bruno Guimarães recycled possession from a partially cleared corner, he delivered an inviting cross towards the far post. Vinícius timed his movement perfectly, rose above his marker and powered a downward header across Gunn to put Brazil firmly in command before the interval.
Brazil’s Vinicius Junior (7) scores his team’s second goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Matheus Cunha added Brazil’s third goal in the 60th minute to complete the victory, while Neymar made his long-awaited return from injury as a second-half substitute, appearing in a World Cup match for the first time since Brazil’s quarter-final defeat to Croatia in Qatar four years ago.
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Brazil complete unbeaten group stage
The victory secured first place in Group C as Brazil finished their group-stage campaign unbeaten with seven points, following a 1-1 draw against Morocco and successive 3-0 victories over Haiti and Scotland.Vinícius was central to that run. Across three matches he scored four goals and registered an assist, taking his overall Brazil tally to 13 international goals in 52 appearances.His performances have also reshaped the Golden Boot race. Lionel Messi currently leads the tournament with five goals after his brace against Austria, while Vinícius has moved onto four alongside Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, ensuring the race for the tournament’s leading scorer remains one of the defining stories heading into the knockout rounds.Brazil now enter the Round of 32 carrying significant momentum, with Vinícius emerging as the focal point of Carlo Ancelotti’s attack and continuing to place himself alongside some of the greatest goalscorers in the Seleção’s World Cup history.
Newcastle is set to benefit from a major new leisure centre / FaulknerBrowns Architects
Newcastle’s £28.9m Outer West Leisure Centre is scheduled to open next year. It replaces a 1960s facility that remained closed after the pandemic
Backed by £19.8m in Levelling Up funding it represents one of the largest investments in the area for many years
It features a gym with recovery areas, an eight-lane 25m pool and 17m training pool, a sports hall and public library
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Designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects and being built by Morgan Sindall, it embeds eco-tech including solar PV panels and air source heat pumps
After some delays, work on Newcastle’s £28.9 million wellness centre at West Denton is underway and scheduled for completion in late 2027.
FaulknerBrowns Architects, which is based nearby in Killingworth, has designed the facility, which has sustainability embedded throughout – including photovoltaic panelling, air source heat pumps, low energy LED lighting, high levels of insulation, charging points for electric vehicles and bike storage.
The Outer West Leisure Centre will feature a gym with recovery areas including a sauna and steamrooms. Rounding out the offering will be an eight-lane, 25 metre swimming pool, a 17 metre training pool and a sports hall. A new community library will be co-located.
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The new site, which will be operated under GLL’s Better brand, has received £19.8 million of government Levelling-Up money and represents one of the largest investments in the area for many years. It replaces the former 1960s West Denton Leisure Centre which didn’t re-open after the pandemic.
Morgan Sindall Construction is the building contractor.
The International Olympic Committee’s decision to pay Olympians for the first time marks a major break from Olympic tradition, but the financial burden on the Lausanne-based body may be modest when compared with its Olympic-year revenue, expenditure and reserves.
The IOC announced that every eligible Olympian will receive a $10,000 grant, starting with athletes who competed at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The payment will be made under the “Fit for the Future Olympian Grant” programme and will apply to athletes who have not violated anti-doping rules, the IOC’s code of ethics or other IOC rules.
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The IOC expects about 14,000 athletes to be eligible in every Olympic cycle, putting the overall cost of the programme at about $140 million per four-year cycle. The money will come from the IOC and be distributed through National Olympic Committees.
“This is not prize money. This is about recognising the journey and the commitment it takes to become an Olympian,” IOC member Pau Gasol said. “And it is about recognising that every Olympian is part of our Olympic community, and honouring those who have come before us and paved the way, so that current and future generations of Olympians can benefit.”
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IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the issue had been discussed for many years and added that she was “extremely proud” that the organisation was now able to take the step.
Why is the IOC paying athletes now?
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For decades, Olympic athletes have not been paid by the IOC for participating in the Games. Medal winners have often received rewards from national governments, sports federations or sponsors, but the IOC itself has not offered universal cash support to all participants.
The new grant changes that structure. It does not reward performance and is not linked to medals. Instead, it recognises the cost of reaching the Olympic stage, particularly for athletes from low-income countries or from sports that do not attract major sponsorship money.
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The decision also comes at a time when athletes have become more vocal about the financial pressures of elite sport. Training, travel, equipment, coaching, nutrition and medical support can make an Olympic campaign expensive, while many athletes remain outside the commercial spotlight.
The grant will not be available to Paralympians because the International Paralympic Committee is a separate organisation. However, the IOC and IPC work together, and the IPC receives funding from the IOC.
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How much will the first payout cost?
The first round of payments will cover athletes from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Winter Games participation is much smaller than Summer Games participation. If about 2,900 athletes are covered, the immediate cost would be around $29 million.
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That figure is not insignificant in athlete-support terms, but it is small when set against the IOC’s broader finances. The expected first payout would be less than 1 per cent of the IOC’s revenue in an Olympic year such as 2024, when the Paris Games took place.
The full Olympic-cycle cost of $140 million is also modest when compared with the IOC’s multiyear revenue base. The IOC’s commercial revenue for the 2021-24 cycle was about $7.7 billion. On that base, the athlete grant would amount to around 1.8 per cent of cycle revenue.
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What do IOC revenue and expenditure show?
The IOC’s finances are heavily shaped by the Olympic calendar. Its revenue rises sharply in Olympic years because broadcast rights, sponsorship and other Games-related income are recognised around the Games.
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In 2024, the year of the Paris Olympics, the IOC reported revenue of more than $4.4 billion. Its Games delivery and Olympic Movement support costs were about $3.3 billion, while administrative expenditure was about $196 million. The year produced a large surplus, helped by Olympic-year revenue and investment income.
By contrast, non-Olympic years usually look weaker. In 2025, IOC revenue was reported at about $650 million, while operating expenses were close to $981 million. This resulted in an operating deficit, although investment income helped reduce the overall loss.
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This uneven pattern is important. Judging the $10,000 grant only against a non-Olympic year would make the programme look heavier. But the IOC operates on a four-year Olympic cycle, and its major commercial income is also structured over that cycle.
Will the $10,000 grant burden IOC finances?
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The grant is unlikely to become a serious burden on IOC finances in its current form. The estimated $29 million first payout for Winter Olympians would be small compared with Olympic-year revenue. The $140 million four-year cost would also be limited compared with the IOC’s multibillion-dollar commercial revenue cycle.
The IOC says it distributes about 90 per cent of Olympic revenue back into sport and athlete development. It also says it distributes the equivalent of about $4.7 million every day to athletes and sporting organisations across the world. In that context, the new grant is more a reallocation within the Olympic system than a threat to the organisation’s financial stability.
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However, the decision could create long-term expectations. Once athletes receive a universal grant, pressure may grow for the IOC to raise the amount in future cycles, include more categories of athletes, or provide additional support in areas such as health insurance, training expenses and post-career transition.
There may also be questions about whether $10,000 is enough to materially change the lives of athletes in high-cost sports or countries. For some athletes, particularly those from smaller sporting systems, it could be a valuable support. For established stars in commercially successful sports, it may be largely symbolic.
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Why is the decision still significant?
The financial cost may be manageable, but the policy shift is substantial. The IOC has historically defended a model in which money is redistributed through Games organisers, International Federations, National Olympic Committees and Olympic Solidarity programmes, rather than being paid directly to athletes.
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The new grant moves the Olympic system closer to direct athlete compensation, even though the IOC has framed it as support rather than prize money. It also comes after other bodies began experimenting with athlete payments. World Athletics, for instance, announced prize money for Olympic gold medallists at the Paris Games, increasing pressure on the wider Olympic movement to revisit athlete compensation.
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