20 hours ago
The first ever 48-team World Cup is over - but already, Fifa president Gianni Infantino is looking ahead and hinting at further expansion.
Infantino has opened the door to expanding the tournament to 64 teams after ruling this year's **** per edition as a resounding success, with Fifa vice-president Alejandro Dominguez among those in favour - and calling for it to happen as early as the 2030 edition.
Infantino successfully pushed for the growth of the World Cup to 48 teams when it was approved by the Fifa Council in 2017 but is likely to encounter greater resistance in his quest to go even bigger, with Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin among those to think the suggestion is a "bad idea".
Fifa President Gianni Infantino at the 2026 World Cup (Getty)
Furthermore, the potential expansion now feels in some way tied to Infantino's scheme of trying to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, a plan that has drawn major criticism – even leading Uefa to threaten a boycott of the World Cup and other Fifa tournaments. If European nations were to be absent from a 64-team World Cup, not only would the quality suffer, but it would be more difficult to find nations to fill every slot.
#World #fifa #gianni #uefa
Infantino has opened the door to expanding the tournament to 64 teams after ruling this year's **** per edition as a resounding success, with Fifa vice-president Alejandro Dominguez among those in favour - and calling for it to happen as early as the 2030 edition.
Infantino successfully pushed for the growth of the World Cup to 48 teams when it was approved by the Fifa Council in 2017 but is likely to encounter greater resistance in his quest to go even bigger, with Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin among those to think the suggestion is a "bad idea".
Fifa President Gianni Infantino at the 2026 World Cup (Getty)
Furthermore, the potential expansion now feels in some way tied to Infantino's scheme of trying to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, a plan that has drawn major criticism – even leading Uefa to threaten a boycott of the World Cup and other Fifa tournaments. If European nations were to be absent from a 64-team World Cup, not only would the quality suffer, but it would be more difficult to find nations to fill every slot.
#World #fifa #gianni #uefa
1 day ago
La Familia took it to JHX Sport (Kansas alumni) Wednesday night in front of a great HMC crowd. They were patiently waiting until tonight to see who stands in their way of a $2 million payday from the non-alumni bracket.
Wait no more.
Davis Steel remained undefeated in TBT play, rolling to a 4th-straight win Thursday after beating The Mecca 71-69. The Mecca had some nice stats though; Casper Ware scored 20, and Brandon Moss had 17 off the bench. Former Fresno State big man Terrell Carter had 6 of the 11 blocked shots for TM, but it wasn't enough.
Former Arizona standout Gabe York led the way for Davis Steel, pouring in 16 while Anthony Clemons and DJ Rodman (son of Dennis Rodman) both had 13.
La Familia vs. Davis Steel will tip off Sunday afternoon (1:00 p.m. ET | FOX) inside Memorial Coliseum. This will be the last game Willie Cauley-Stein plays in Lexington, at least professionally anyway. What better way to send him off than to win a huge payday?
#davis #familia
Wait no more.
Davis Steel remained undefeated in TBT play, rolling to a 4th-straight win Thursday after beating The Mecca 71-69. The Mecca had some nice stats though; Casper Ware scored 20, and Brandon Moss had 17 off the bench. Former Fresno State big man Terrell Carter had 6 of the 11 blocked shots for TM, but it wasn't enough.
Former Arizona standout Gabe York led the way for Davis Steel, pouring in 16 while Anthony Clemons and DJ Rodman (son of Dennis Rodman) both had 13.
La Familia vs. Davis Steel will tip off Sunday afternoon (1:00 p.m. ET | FOX) inside Memorial Coliseum. This will be the last game Willie Cauley-Stein plays in Lexington, at least professionally anyway. What better way to send him off than to win a huge payday?
#davis #familia
2 days ago
Sky Sports's new documentary is stacked with sobering soundbites. In one scene, boxing coach Joe Gallagher recalls hearing a mother ask her son: "Are all the lows worth that one high?" The answer, of course, was "yes". As Gallagher puts it: "Everyone wants their own Rocky story."
But as Sky explores, that doesn't always mean a rousing underdog story. Rocky's sequels showed Sylvester Stallone's character struggling with retirement, and this is the premise of The Final Round.
Releasing on Friday, the film features interviews with former world champions like Johnny Nelson and Josh Warrington, while Gallagher and Dominic Ingle are among the coaches to speak, promoter Eddie Hearn features, and commentator Andy Clarke weaves together themes of "addiction", sacrifice, and ego.
Former world champion Johnny Nelson (Getty)
The documentary even includes one of the final interviews with the late, great Ricky Hatton, whose internal fights after retiring matched any that he had in the ring.
#johnny #nelson #story #interviews
But as Sky explores, that doesn't always mean a rousing underdog story. Rocky's sequels showed Sylvester Stallone's character struggling with retirement, and this is the premise of The Final Round.
Releasing on Friday, the film features interviews with former world champions like Johnny Nelson and Josh Warrington, while Gallagher and Dominic Ingle are among the coaches to speak, promoter Eddie Hearn features, and commentator Andy Clarke weaves together themes of "addiction", sacrifice, and ego.
Former world champion Johnny Nelson (Getty)
The documentary even includes one of the final interviews with the late, great Ricky Hatton, whose internal fights after retiring matched any that he had in the ring.
#johnny #nelson #story #interviews
3 days ago
Colorado is five days away from opening its 2026 fall camp as the Buffaloes begin preparations for Deion Sanders' fourth season at the helm. The Buffs had a solid offseason despite many changes, including two new coordinators and 40-plus transfers, most with proven production, albeit at a non-Power Four level.
One of those players is Sacramento State transfer wide receiver Ernest Campbell. The speedy wideout is one of Pro Football Focus' highest-graded returning Big 12 wide receivers. He comes in ranked as the fifth-best returner with an 85.9 overall grade.
Campbell is coming off a breakout season at Sacramento State after being named to the FCS Central Freshman All-American Team. He led the Hornets with 37 receptions for 755 yards and eight touchdowns. The most impressive stat from his 2025 season is his average of 20.41 yards per reception. Campbell's explosivity is by far his best trait, and he should be the big-play threat in Brennan Marion's Go-Go offense, which he knows well. He had touchdowns of 75, 63,60, 57 and 50 yards.
Campbell unsurprisingly has a track background, competing collegiately at Texas A&M as a true freshman in 2024. He recorded a 10.02 100m time at the NCAA West First Round meet and was an honorable mention All-American, placing 22nd at the 2024 NCAA Championships.
Colorado is used to having wide receivers with speed, with players like LaJohntay Wester and Jimmy Horn Jr. adding a different dynamic during the 9-4 2024 season. CU is hoping Campbell can be that element this year and that it will lead to a similarly strong season.
#yards
One of those players is Sacramento State transfer wide receiver Ernest Campbell. The speedy wideout is one of Pro Football Focus' highest-graded returning Big 12 wide receivers. He comes in ranked as the fifth-best returner with an 85.9 overall grade.
Campbell is coming off a breakout season at Sacramento State after being named to the FCS Central Freshman All-American Team. He led the Hornets with 37 receptions for 755 yards and eight touchdowns. The most impressive stat from his 2025 season is his average of 20.41 yards per reception. Campbell's explosivity is by far his best trait, and he should be the big-play threat in Brennan Marion's Go-Go offense, which he knows well. He had touchdowns of 75, 63,60, 57 and 50 yards.
Campbell unsurprisingly has a track background, competing collegiately at Texas A&M as a true freshman in 2024. He recorded a 10.02 100m time at the NCAA West First Round meet and was an honorable mention All-American, placing 22nd at the 2024 NCAA Championships.
Colorado is used to having wide receivers with speed, with players like LaJohntay Wester and Jimmy Horn Jr. adding a different dynamic during the 9-4 2024 season. CU is hoping Campbell can be that element this year and that it will lead to a similarly strong season.
#yards
3 days ago
Roma is constantly working to find a left-sided attacking winger to give to Gian Piero Gasperini.
Among the various names being considered by the Giallorossi is Abde Ezzalzouli, but Real Betis' demands are currently high.
The club's desire is to find a functional player, not just anyone who will have to be replaced in January.
The Moroccan had his best season in Spain this season. He's scored 10 goals and provided 15 ******* ists.
These numbers intrigue the Grugliasco-born coach, who wants a player who's ready and willing to work hard. And as reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Giallorossi are in talks with Real Betis for the player.
#season #piero
Among the various names being considered by the Giallorossi is Abde Ezzalzouli, but Real Betis' demands are currently high.
The club's desire is to find a functional player, not just anyone who will have to be replaced in January.
The Moroccan had his best season in Spain this season. He's scored 10 goals and provided 15 ******* ists.
These numbers intrigue the Grugliasco-born coach, who wants a player who's ready and willing to work hard. And as reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Giallorossi are in talks with Real Betis for the player.
#season #piero
3 days ago
The Carolina Panthers strapped on pads at training camp for the first time on Tuesday.
Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks talks recovery, getting back on the gridiron
The day also marked the first camp for Jonathon Brooks, who missed the last two because of injury.
Channel 9's DaShawn Brown spoke with the running back about his recovery and his vision for the Panthers backfield.
#jonathon #camp #carolina
Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks talks recovery, getting back on the gridiron
The day also marked the first camp for Jonathon Brooks, who missed the last two because of injury.
Channel 9's DaShawn Brown spoke with the running back about his recovery and his vision for the Panthers backfield.
#jonathon #camp #carolina
4 days ago
Newcastle United have walked out of the race to sign Toulouse left-back Dayann Methalie (20) with their Premier League rivals Sunderland AFC now the clear favourites to sign the France U21 international, according to The Guardian. The Black Cats, who are set to compete in the UEFA Europa League next season, have already secured an agreement on personal terms with Methalie over a five-year contract, as reported yesterday by RMC.
The 20-year-old is billed as one of the best French prospects in the left-back role, with a senior France bow expected in a few years with Lucas Digne and Théo Hernandez entering the twilight of their career. Methalie has been extensively scouted by Eddie Howe's Magpies, but the latter have opted against submitting a bid this summer. Aston Villa also enquired about the Toulouse left-back.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
#back #newcastle #united
The 20-year-old is billed as one of the best French prospects in the left-back role, with a senior France bow expected in a few years with Lucas Digne and Théo Hernandez entering the twilight of their career. Methalie has been extensively scouted by Eddie Howe's Magpies, but the latter have opted against submitting a bid this summer. Aston Villa also enquired about the Toulouse left-back.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
#back #newcastle #united
7 days ago
Liverpool's first pre-season outing of the summer was already going to carry curiosity, because a new head coach always brings questions, fresh ideas and a sense of reset. Yet Saturday's meeting with Sunderland now carries something far more important. As reported by BBC Sport, both clubs will honour Kevin Keegan with black armbands and a minute's applause before kick-off.
That feels fitting. Keegan belonged to an era when footballers seemed larger than life, full of energy, swagger and personality, and he left a mark on every club lucky enough to call him their own. He died this week at the age of 75, months after it was announced that he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer. For many supporters, particularly those of a certain vintage, the news landed with real force.
At Liverpool, Keegan was central to one of the club's great periods of growth. Nearly 750 club appearances came across his wider career, but the six years on Merseyside remain a huge part of why he is remembered with such affection. Three league ****** les, the European Cup, two UEFA Cups and the FA Cup tell their own story. So do the Ballon d'Or wins in 1978 and 1979, achieved while he was with Hamburg, proof that his standing stretched well beyond English football.
He was a footballer who played with urgency and emotion, and those are qualities supporters always respond to. Trophies matter, of course, but connection matters too. Keegan had both.
This match also opens the Andoni Iraola chapter. After the collapse of last season and the end of Arne Slot's reign in May, Liverpool head into 2026-27 needing clarity and momentum. Iraola's first game arrives with notable absentees after Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate departed at the end of last term.
#keegan #head #always #club
That feels fitting. Keegan belonged to an era when footballers seemed larger than life, full of energy, swagger and personality, and he left a mark on every club lucky enough to call him their own. He died this week at the age of 75, months after it was announced that he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer. For many supporters, particularly those of a certain vintage, the news landed with real force.
At Liverpool, Keegan was central to one of the club's great periods of growth. Nearly 750 club appearances came across his wider career, but the six years on Merseyside remain a huge part of why he is remembered with such affection. Three league ****** les, the European Cup, two UEFA Cups and the FA Cup tell their own story. So do the Ballon d'Or wins in 1978 and 1979, achieved while he was with Hamburg, proof that his standing stretched well beyond English football.
He was a footballer who played with urgency and emotion, and those are qualities supporters always respond to. Trophies matter, of course, but connection matters too. Keegan had both.
This match also opens the Andoni Iraola chapter. After the collapse of last season and the end of Arne Slot's reign in May, Liverpool head into 2026-27 needing clarity and momentum. Iraola's first game arrives with notable absentees after Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate departed at the end of last term.
#keegan #head #always #club
