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​Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that deciding whether to include Neymar in his squad for the 2026 World Cup is weighing heavily on his mind. Despite the Santos forward’s legendary status, the Italian tactician is balancing the player's recent fitness struggles against his undeniable talent as the tournament approaches. The weight of history against physical reality Ancelotti has included Neymar in his 55-man provisional list for the tournament, but will whittle that number down to 26 when he announces the final squad on May 18. At 34 years old, Neymar is indisputably one of the greatest talents Brazilian football has ever produced, but his place in the 2026 World Cup squad is not a certainty. After a disastrous period at Al Hilal and recurring injuries, his return to Santos has brought glimpses of the old star, but still under the shadow of doubt about his competitive intensity. "When you have to choose, you need to take many things into consideration," Ancelotti explained in an exclusive interview with Reuters. "Neymar is an important player for this country because of the talent he has always shown. He has had some problems, and he is working hard to recover. He has improved a lot recently and is playing regularly. Obviously, for me it's not an easy decision. We have to carefully weigh the pros and cons, but that doesn't put pressure on me. We've been evaluating not only Neymar, but all the players, for a year now." Neymar's role in the locker room One of the crucial points for Ancelotti is the harmony of the group. The Italian, known for his impeccable man management, knows that the presence or absence of a figure like Neymar alters the collective dynamic. The coach highlighted that his teammates have already made it clear that they want to have the number 10 around, something he values ​​when analyzing the internal climate of the Brazilian National Team. "I know perfectly well that Neymar is very well-liked, not only by the public, but also by the players," Ancelotti said. "That's also a factor, because we have to take into account the atmosphere that will surround Neymar's call-up. It's not like I'm going to drop a bomb in the locker room. He is very well-liked, very loved. I think it's normal for the players to express their opinion. I am grateful to everyone who gave me advice, I thank you all. But, in the end, the right person to make this decision, the most suitable person to do so, is me." Shielding against the external environment For the coach, media pressure and the noise from the fans cannot interfere in the selection process. Ancelotti reinforced that his priority is to maintain tranquility in the work environment, regardless of the decision he makes at the beginning of next week. He believes that the group is prepared to deal with any outcome regarding the Santos star. "I don't believe the internal environment will affect the team at all," he added. "The environment is very positive, very calm, and no matter which player is in the squad, it will remain positive and calm until the end. But I can't control the external environment and what the media says. The internal environment is under control and will remain so until the end, with or without Neymar. This influences the point I just mentioned: knowing that if I bring Neymar into this group, the group will be fine because he is very well-liked by everyone." Technical criteria and total autonomy The final part of the evaluation involves Ancelotti's tactical demands, which require high intensity and defensive recovery. Despite recognizing Neymar's physical improvement in recent games for Santos, the coach emphasized that the decision will be strictly professional, based on what the player can deliver on the field under the current conditions of international football. "He has greatly improved his physical condition in recent matches. He has played some very good games lately," said Ancelotti. "His physical conditioning has improved. He can maintain a high intensity during a match. But there are games and games. I am calm because I know perfectly well that the decision is mine. "I was not pressured by anyone to call up Neymar. I have total autonomy. The decision will be 100% professional. I will only take into consideration his performance as a football player. Nothing else. Can I assemble a perfect team? Impossible! But I can assemble a team with fewer mistakes than others who would try. Of that I am certain." Read More

​Manuel Neuer is set to extend his legendary stay at Bayern Munich after reportedly reaching a total agreement over a contract extension. The veteran goalkeeper, who recently turned 40, has committed to the Bavarian giants for a further year, ensuring his era at the Allianz Arena continues until at least 2027. Legend secures Allianz Arena future The long-running saga regarding Neuer’s future has finally reached a conclusion. According to Sky Germany, the World Cup winner has reached a "complete agreement" to extend his contract with Bayern Munich until June 30, 2027. The news comes as a major boost to the club hierarchy, who were keen to retain the services of their captain for another campaign. The extension is expected to be finalized before the club's final home game of the Bundesliga season against FC Koln this Saturday. Having joined the club from Schalke in 2011, Neuer has established himself as arguably the greatest goalkeeper in the club's history, and this latest deal allows him to push toward even more records in the twilight of his career. Financial sacrifice for the veteran While Bayern were eager to keep their number one, a key part of the negotiations involved a significant reduction in his base salary. Currently, the 40-year-old earns an estimated €20 million gross per year, including bonuses. However, under the new terms, he will take a pay cut to help the club manage its overall wage bill. This financial adjustment follows a similar strategy used during other recent renewals, as the club looks to maintain flexibility in the transfer market. By accepting a lower fixed wage, Neuer demonstrated his commitment to the club's long-term project while ensuring he remains a key member of the starting XI for at least one more season. Succession planning with Jonas Urbig The extension for Neuer doesn't mean Bayern are ignoring the future. A core element of the club's strategy involves the development of Jonas Urbig, who is increasingly viewed as the heir to Neuer's throne. The 22-year-old will remain as the number two next season but has been promised more appearances than the 21 he has managed so far this term. Bayern's coaching staff are determined to integrate Urbig more frequently to ensure a smooth transition when Neuer eventually decides to hang up his gloves. Furthermore, the club intends to keep veteran backup Sven Ulreich, while younger prospects like Leonard Prescott are expected to be sent out on loan or integrated into the reserve setup to continue their growth. A historic legacy continues Neuer's impact during his 15 years in Munich is unparalleled. During his tenure, he has secured 13 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League trophies, becoming the face of the club's modern golden era. Despite his age, his performance levels remain high, and his presence is still considered vital by the club's board and influential figures. By extending his stay until 2027, Neuer will have the opportunity to surpass 600 appearances for the club, further cementing his place in the history books. With the agreement now in place, fans can look forward to seeing the ultimate sweeper-keeper continue his dominance at the Allianz Arena for at least another season. Read More

​Patrick Mahomes missed the playoffs in 2025, and Josh Allen didn't have an MVP season last year, but that isn't stopping Colin Cowherd from listing the two stars as his top-two quarterbacks in the NFL. But which of the two is the league's best quarterback? Cowherd answered that question as he ranked the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL ahead of the 2026 season. His rankings aren't as straightforward as talent trumps all. Cowherd rates quarterbacks, he said, based on their production, durability and current momentum of their careers. With those factors in mind, here are Cowherd's top 10 quarterbacks entering the 2026 NFL season. Missed the cut: Dak Prescott, Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Baker Mayfield Cowherd's thoughts: "35-10 in his last 45 starts — highest win percentage by any quarterback the last two years in the league. Big, athletic, risk-taking. No turnovers when it mattered in the playoffs. Still 28, five different teams — what a disaster. But if you go — remember he was benched in Carolina, came back, went 4-2 — if you take his career starting then [in 2022], [he's the] winningest quarterback in the NFL with the second-highest passer rating." Cowherd's thoughts: "The most disrespected guy in the league. All he does is win. Four straight seasons with 4,000-plus passing yards. And, strangely, never misses a start. He and Caleb Williams, they don't get hurt." Cowherd's thoughts: "Bad o-line. Hit-and-miss run game. Got to a Super Bowl. Finally going to get A.J. Brown, a No. 1 wide receiver — that's what's being reported. I think you'll see how special he is. Led the NFL in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating at 23, with a bad o-line in front of him." Cowherd's thoughts: "I love him. He doesn't play like anybody. He doesn't move like anybody. Two MVPs. He has the highest passer rating in NFL history, and everybody's like, ‘I don’t know if he's a great pocket passer.' I don't know, the analytics guys like him. Highest win percentage by any quarterback in league history not to make a Super Bowl." Cowherd's thoughts: "I think, on any given Sunday, he's the best player in the league. Burrow's durability is a big problem. You want him to win more. But I will say it again, I'm not sure — on a fourth-and-7, trailing by four in a Super Bowl — if there's a guy I want at quarterback more than Joe Burrow. I think he's an all-time talent. He got saddled with a cheap owner and a minimalist front office. Highest completion percentage and highest passer rating all time, with terrible o-lines." Cowherd's thoughts: "He just won the MVP. What do you want me to say? They're favored to win the Super Bowl. He's taken a bunch of mid-round guys — Puka Nacua, fifth round, made him a star. So I'm not building this for five years. He is a top-five quarterback in the NFL right now." Cowherd's thoughts: "Worst offensive line in the NFL. Made the playoffs. That's insane! He's beloved in the locker room. He and Lamar Jackson are the most beloved players in the NFL in their respective locker rooms. Missed only six starts in his career, which is confounding because he's never had a good o-line." Cowherd's thoughts: "Do you know what his numbers are the first two years? Forty-seven touchdowns, 13 picks, never hurt. Never hurt in high school. Never hurt in college. Never hurt in the pros. Got hit more than any other quarterback in the league his rookie year. Unbelievably durable. Makes throws that only Josh Allen can make." Cowherd's thoughts: "He's going to be back in September. Each of his first seven years, led the Chiefs to a division title and an AFC Championship appearance. Sorry, don't get recency bias. He's amazing." Cowherd's thoughts: "He's been very good in the playoffs. He's won 70% of his games with a defensive head coach that most of you didn't like. Seven straight years with 10-plus wins. I'm sorry folks, he's been better than (Patrick) Mahomes two straight years." Read More

​Mexico national team manager Javier Aguirre has revealed his 55-man preliminary roster for the 2026 World Cup, with San Diego FC winger Hirving "Chucky" Lozano arguably being the most notable omission from the list. Headlined by Fulham’s Raul Jimenez, Fenerbahçe’s Edson Alvarez, and veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who is attempting to appear in his sixth World Cup, Mexico’s roster will be narrowed down to 26 players by June 1, the official FIFA deadline. Mexico is set to kick off the tournament on home soil on June 11 against South Africa at the Estadio Banorte. Locker room issues in San Diego Lozano’s exclusion follows a period of inactivity and reported disciplinary tension with San Diego FC. Aguirre previously stated that consistent playing time was a requirement for selection, a condition Lozano was unable to meet after falling out of favor with his club's coaching staff earlier this year. Lozano enjoyed a promising start to the club's debut MLS season, but internal friction became public in October following reports of a locker room altercation with head coach Mikey Varas. His final appearance to date for the club came as a substitute during San Diego's 3-1 playoff loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Roster depth and injury concerns Rodrigo Huescas, a rising star in the Danish Superliga, will miss the tournament as he continues his recovery from an ACL tear suffered during a Champions League match in late 2025. Other injury-related absences from Mexico’s preliminary list include Cruz Azul defender Jesús ‘Chiquete’ Orozco and Club América goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón. In contrast, Aguirre has included several players recently returning from injury layoffs, such as Dynamo Moscow's Luis Chávez, R.S.C. Anderlecht's César Huerta, and Celtic's Julián Araujo. The manager also opted to bolster his goalkeeping depth, calling up six keepers in total, including José Antonio Rodríguez and Carlos Moreno. Rise in naturalized players and dual-nationals Continuing the trend of naturalized players and dual-nationals in the squad, the roster features Inter Miami's Germán Berterame, Al-Qadsiah’s Julián Quiñones, and Real Betis' Álvaro Fidalgo. This trio represents a core of talent that has exported abroad after largely dominating Liga MX over the past several seasons, with Fidalgo in particular expected to take on an attacking role in the midfield. They are joined by several Mexican-American prospects, including Chivas' Brian Gutiérrez and Richard Ledezma, as well as Atlético Madrid's Obed Vargas. Issues between Liga MX and the Mexican Football Federation While 12 Liga MX players were previously confirmed as "locks" for the squad in an agreement with domestic clubs, players like Tigres' Diego Lainez, Toluca's Marcel Ruiz, and Club América's Érick Sánchez were added to the preliminary list, likely as contingency options should injuries occur before the final submission in June. Last week, the Mexican Football Federation threatened to exclude any Liga MX-based player from the World Cup roster if they fail to report for national team duty. This came after Aguirre revealed a 20-player squad for a pre-World Cup training camp, when Toluca stars Jesús Gallardo and Alexis Vega remained with their club ahead of a Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal against LAFC rather than reporting to camp. This led to the Mexican Football Federation releasing a statement and calling for a press conference on May 6 to deliver an ultimatum. "As instructed by the coaching staff, any player who does not attend the training camp today will be left off the World Cup roster," the statement read. Aguirre also spoke to media during a press conference the same day. "Whoever doesn't come will be out of the World Cup. That is something we cannot be flexible about, not in the least," Aguirre said. By nightfall on May 6, all 20 players Aguirre called into camp were present. Final preparations Before kicking off the World Cup, Aguirre and his men will take part in exhibitions against Ghana on May 22, Australia on May 30 and Serbia on June 4. Mexico will begin the group stage of the World Cup against South Africa on June 11, they'll then face South Korea on June 18 and Czechia on June 24. Read More

​CITI FIELD (New York) – Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns sat in front of the microphone on Tuesday before the team opened a six-game homestand, and there were two moments that stood out from his scheduled news conference with reporters. One was about the Mets manager, and the other was regarding his front office’s assessment on injury-prone players. The Mets entered the day with the worst record (15-25) in Major League Baseball. On Tuesday, they promoted No. 2 overall prospect A.J. Ewing in an attempt to fill a need in the outfield and, it went without saying in their official press release, to shake things up. Stearns has fielded questions from reporters once every homestand since he took the job in October 2023. Typically, the longtime baseball executive is composed — perhaps even unflappable — when addressing the team’s poor performance. It’s clear to see he prides himself on being unemotional in front of the cameras. But, on Tuesday, Stearns got a little snippy in response to a question about manager Carlos Mendoza’s job security. "I'll let my words speak for themselves," Stearns said in a measured and tight tone. "I've been very clear and consistent that I think Mendy does a really good job. I believe Mendy does a really good job. I like coming to work with him every day. I'm not going to address this every two weeks when I talk to you guys. I'll leave it at that." As long as the Mets continue to lose, questions about those who are in charge and whether their baseball operations processes are working will persist. On some level, the Mets P.O.B.O. understands that. After all, he grew up a Mets fan on the Upper East Side. He knows the heat comes with the territory. But, behind Stearns’ sly grin, his sharp answer revealed how much the pressure of the team’s current situation is getting to him. The Mets have represented the worst offense in baseball for a quarter of the season. They entered the day tied with the San Francisco Giants for the fewest runs scored (139) in MLB. It’s no longer early, as both Stearns and Mendoza said. But Mets leadership believes there is too much talent on the team, as well as enough season left, for the club to turn things around. Stop me if you’ve heard this answer before, as in last year, when the Mets were unable to turn things around en route to missing the playoffs. "We have a lot of players with really good track records in this league," Stearns said when I asked what he specifically believes in about this team. "We are counting on those track records, not only on the field, but how they prepare for games, how they go about their business, how hard they're working right now. And we believe that ultimately that's going to show." As the Mets turn, their top prospect, Ewing, is the latest player whom the team hopes will jump-start its lifeless offense and save the season. The 21-year-old started the year in Double-A and played just 12 games at the Triple-A level before joining the Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday. Ewing, praised for his speed, hit .326/.392/.435 with five stolen bases, five walks and four RBI in those dozen games. Mets officials said they would not have called up Ewing unless they truly believed he was ready for the big-league jump. Unfortunately, it smells of desperation. Ewing did impress in Tuesday's outing – an RBI triple in the seventh for his first career hit, and then becoming the first Mets player with a triple in his big league debut. He also walked three times, scored twice, and stole a base. It was apparent when the Mets took the field on Opening Day that the lineup was built to be overly reliant on players who have a history of getting injured. Luis Robert Jr., who is currently sidelined with a herniated disk in his lumbar spine, was one of those injury-prone players the Mets acquired over the offseason. The Mets gave up Luisangel Acuña for Robert when they had a logjam in the infield anyway after trading Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien. Robert, at his best, is an All-Star center fielder who is just a few years removed from winning the Silver Slugger award at his position. But, all along, the Mets’ grand plan to keep him on the field was a delayed ramp-up during spring training, followed by regularly scheduled off days once the season began. It didn’t work. Despite their best precautionary measures, Robert's injury has significantly weakened the Mets lineup and created a revolving door in center field. The team’s situation at first base has been a disaster, too. After passing on free agent Pete Alonso, who is currently the Mets’ franchise leader in home runs, Stearns signed veteran infielder Jorge Polanco to play first base. Polanco played two games at first this season before going down with an Achilles injury and a wrist contusion. Robert and Polanco are earning a combined $40 million this year, an exorbitant amount that only seemed reasonable if both players stayed on the field for the majority of the season. As of this moment, there is no timetable for their returns. While Stearns said, "I don't think sitting here in the middle of May that I'm going to do a postmortem on our season," it stood out that he admitted he may need to rethink some of his models and systems on injury-prone players. "I think we absolutely have to look at our risk assessment on injured players, or players who get injured once they're here," Stearns said. "Certainly we know we're taking a level of risk when we bring players in with injury histories. We're feeling that risk right now. And it certainly doesn't help that a number of our players have gotten hurt at the exact same time. It's not something that we necessarily anticipated. But I think that's a fair question and something we need to look at." Stearns & Co. may not have anticipated that several players would get hurt at the same time, but anyone who has followed the Mets for the past few decades was looking out for it. Even if Stearns was wearing rose-colored glasses when he constructed the roster over the winter, it’s hard to imagine that he believed the team’s strategy in building more off days for Robert would be the solution. Mets brass had to know their depth would be tested eventually. As it turned out, 38-year-old outfielder Tommy Pham was not the answer; he recorded two hits in 31 plate appearances before the team designated him for assignment. Then, the Mets signed journeyman right fielder Austin Slater at the end of April, and he has one extra base hit in 16 at-bats. So, no, that hasn’t been the spark the offense is looking for. Outfielder/designated hitter MJ Melendez has made the most of his opportunity with an .852 OPS in 20 games since getting called up last month. But the rest of the Mets offense has performed so poorly that Melendez’s at-bats haven’t helped. Now, the club is hoping Ewing is the answer. If he is part of the solution, the Mets can still go on a run and compete for a spot in the playoffs. And if he's not, they're inching closer and closer to being sellers at the trade deadline. Stearns was asked at what point this season he would pivot to the future and decide that this year's club, the one he tore down and built in his own vision, is just not good enough. "We're not close to that point right now," Stearns said. There were no more questions, not even the ones he won't address every two weeks. Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar. Read More

​If you were to create an ideal World Cup starting lineup for the U.S. men's national team, who would you pick? Which players would get the nod and which ones would be left? Here's how FOX Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas made his list on the latest episode of "Alexi Lalas' State of the Union" podcast, explaining why he made some tough choices – including leaving notable players such as Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and DaMarcus Beasley off the starters. Let's break it all down by each position: Goalkeeper: Tony MeolaWorld Cup appearances: 1990, 1994 Alexi's Take: "People are going to disagree with me, but I am going to have Tony Meola because, especially in the modern game, a goalkeeper that can play with his feet. Tony was a man out of time in that he was incredible with his feet and gave us a sense of security back there. That was, again, ahead of its time, because we didn't often play, but when Tony would spray the ball, it was amazing about his accuracy and his confidence with his feet. By just a nose over Tim Howard, I'm going with Meola." Right back: Tony SannehWorld Cup appearances: 2002 Alexi's Take: "For those that don't remember right back in the 2002 World Cup and that wonderful summer, Tony Sanneh  was everything and anything that you would want from a right back. Getting up and down and just eating up grass and attacking and causing all sorts of problems going forward, but also with the defensive responsibilities." Center backs: Eddie Pope, Carlos Bocanegra  World Cup appearances: Pope - 1998, 2002; Bocanegra - 2006, 2010 Alexi's Take: "Eddie Pope was a legend and wonderful player in the air, on the ground. He was smart, just great on the left-hand side. And Carlos Bocanegra, as the longtime captain for the U.S. team, I think it's a good balance there with Pope." Left back: Antonee "Jedi" RobinsonWorld Cup appearances: 2022, 2026 (expected) Alexi's Take: "I think he's going to go down as arguably the best left back in U.S. men's national team history, and I already have him there on that left-hand side." Defensive Midfielders: Michael Bradley, Weston McKennieWorld Cup appearances: Bradley - 2010, 2014; McKennie - 2022, 2026 (expected) Alexi's Take: "I have two defensive midfielders in front of that back four, but certainly with opportunities and responsibilities in the attack too, and that's going to be Michael Bradley and Weston McKennie there. "Bradley, a living legend when it comes to the U.S. team just gives us a solid foundation, a predictability in the most positive sense there. And then McKennie — we've talked so much about and how important he is to this national team, and how his personality, both on and off the field, is important to a team. And so I'm gonna have him next to Bradley." Forwards: Tab Ramos, Landon Donovan, Christian PulisicWorld Cup appearances: Ramos - 1990, 1994, 1998; Donovan - 2002, 2006, 2010; Pulisic - 2022, 2026 (expected) Alexi's Take: "These three are completely interchangeable. And as a matter of fact, all three of these players played multiple positions in the attack and showed up all sorts of different places: Tab Ramos, Landon, Donovan and Christian Pulisic." "People ask me: Who was the best player you ever played with on the U.S. team? It was Tab Ramos. Talk about a man out of time. It. He was slumming it, playing with us. And I felt bad at times because he was so far, technically and mentally ahead of us in terms of the way he thought about the game. Must have been incredibly frustrating to play with us. "Landon Donovan, you know, kind of underneath, but able to move out wide where he does a lot of damage, and yes, at times going in the middle, but again, carte blanche for all three. Christian Pulisic, who we know shows up out wide left, but certainly can come in.  We've seen him in different places, so that that threesome in the middle there can go wherever they want." Striker: Brian McBrideWorld Cup appearances: 2002, 2006 Alexi's Take: "My country, my kingdom, for a Brian McBride — with all due respect to Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi right now." Read More

​Just over a month after Maize and Blue confetti filled Lucas Oil Stadium following their national championship win, Dusty May and the Michigan Wolverines have turned their attention to next season, announcing their Big Ten opponents for the 2026-27 campaign. Michigan will play 20 conference games in 2026, with home-and-home matchups against Minnesota, Ohio State and Michigan State. The Wolverines’ home slate features a group of Big Ten contenders, including Illinois, Purdue and Maryland. On the road, Michigan is set to face Wisconsin, UCLA and Indiana. Below are Michigan's Big Ten opponents for the 2026-27 season: Home Opponents: 2025-26 Record: 28-9 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Stefan Vaaks Key Returners: Andrej Stojaković (testing NBA Draft waters), Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Jake Davis 2025-26 Record: 24-13 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Ty’Reek Coleman, Andrew McKeever Key Returners: Kael Combs, Cam Manyawu and Cooper Koch 2025-26 Record: 12-21 Key Transfer Portal Additions: DJ Wagner, Tomislav Buljan Key Returners: Andre Mills, Pharrell Payne 2025-26 Record: 27-8 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Anton Bonke Key Returners: Jeremey Fears Jr. (testing NBA Draft waters), Coen Carr, Jordan Scott 2025-26 Record: 15-18 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Malachi Palmer, Kyan Evans Key Returners: Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Isaac Asuma 2025-26 Record: 15-19 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Jack Karasinski, LA Pratt Key Returners: Angelo Ciaravino, Jake West 2025-26 Record: 21-13 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Andrija Jelavic, Justin Pippen Key Returners: John Mobley Jr., Amare Bynum 2025-26 Record: 12-20 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Dwayne Aristode, Tyrone Riley Key Returners: Sean Stewart 2025-26 Record: 30-9 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Caden Pierce Key Returners: C.J. Cox, Daniel Jacobsen 2025-26 Record: 16-17 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Ryan Beasley, LeJuan Watts Key Returners: Wesley Yates III, Lathan Sommerville Away Opponents: 2025-26 Record: 18-14 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Markus Burton, Aiden Sherrell Key Returners: Trent Sisley 2025-26 Record: 27-8 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Anton Bonke Key Returners: Jeremey Fears Jr. (testing NBA Draft waters), Coen Carr, Jordan Scott 2025-26 Record: 15-18 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Malachi Palmer, Kyran Evans Key Returners: Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Isaac Asuma 2025-26 Record: 28-7 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Damon Wilkinson, Sam Orme Key Returners: Pryce Sandfort, Braden Frager 2025-26 Record: 21-13 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Andrija Jelavic, Justin Pippen Key Returners: John Mobley Jr., Amare Bynum 2025-26 Record: 12-20 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Brant Byers, Thomas Allard Key Returners: Ivan Juric 2025-26 Record: 14-20 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Christian Gurdak, Dorin Buca Key Returners: Tariq Francis, Darren Buchanan Jr. 2025-26 Record: 24-12 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Jaylen Petty, Filip Jovic Key Returners: Trent Perry, Eric Dailey Jr. 2025-26 Record: 18-14 Key Transfer Portal Additions: KJ Lewis, Eric Reibe Key Returners: Jacob Cofie (testing NBA Draft waters), Alijah Arenas, Rodney Rice 2025-26 Record: 24-11 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Eian Elmer, Trey Autry Key Returners: Nolan Winter, Austin Rapp Read More

​Forward Cristo Fernandez, the actor who portrayed Dani Rojas on the Apple TV series "Ted Lasso" has signed with El Paso Locomotive FC of the USL Championship to play soccer professionally. Terms of the deal announced Tuesday, which still must be approved by the second-tier league and soccer federation, were not disclosed. Fernandez earned the deal after a two-month trial with the team, appearing in a preseason match against New Mexico United. He played soccer at the youth level before an injury at the age of 15 led him to acting. "No matter where life has taken me, the dream of competing professionally never truly left my heart," Fernandez said. "I’m incredibly grateful to El Paso Locomotive FC — the club, coaches, staff, and especially my teammates — for opening the doors and giving me the opportunity to compete from day one." Locomotive coach Junior Gonzalez said Fernandez is a great addition, giving them another attacking threat while bringing passion and leadership to the locker room. The USL Championship acts as the second tier of the American soccer pyramid, sitting directly below MLS. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Read More

​Joe Gomez has cast doubt over his long-term future at Anfield by admitting he is unsure if he will remain a Liverpool player beyond the current campaign. With the versatile defender out of contract at the end of next season, he acknowledged that the upcoming summer transfer window could bring a permanent end to his 11-year stay. Competition mounts at Anfield Gomez finds himself at a crossroads as he approaches the final 12 months of his contract. Despite his status as a senior figure, the 28-year-old has seen his playing time diminish significantly under Arne Slot, starting just six Premier League games in each of the last two campaigns. The club has also proactively sought successors, securing deals for young defenders Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet to bolster a defensive unit already featuring Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. Uncertainty in the window Speaking about the prospect of a summer exit, the versatile defender adopted a philosophical approach regarding his tenure at the club. "I think anything can happen. I don't know is the honest answer. I've only got a year left so I don't know but whatever is meant to be will be," Gomez said. "But I'm so grateful to have had this time here at this club. I'll always be grateful to have had 11 years at a place like this. All I can do is be thankful and we'll see." A trophy-laden legacy Since joining from Charlton in 2015, Gomez has become a decorated figure at Anfield, amassing 272 appearances and winning every major honor available. His trophy cabinet includes two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups. While his versatility across the backline remains an asset, past interest from Newcastle United and Aston Villa suggests there would be no shortage of suitors should Liverpool decide to cash in before his contract expires in 2027. Decision time for Slot Liverpool face a crucial decision on whether to offer their longest-serving player an extension or facilitate a transfer to avoid losing him for free. The squad will likely rely on his experience during the final weeks of the season as they manage a heavy domestic workload. However, with Konate nearing a new deal and Jacquet arriving from Rennes, Gomez must demonstrate his continued value to remain part of the first-team rotation during a busy summer of transition. Read More

​While star winger Christian Pulisic carries the "Captain America" title for USA soccer, one of his teammates carries the title of "most important player." As Pulisic grapples with a dip in form and questions regarding his attitude on the pitch, FOX Sports analysts and former USA players Stu Holden, Alexi Lalas and Maurice Edu debated whether it is Weston McKennie who is actually the heartbeat in the midfield. McKennie is coming off what some observers consider the most impressive season of his career at Juventus, which saw him land on spot No. 72 in FOX Sports' ranking of the top 100 World Cup players. After years of being written off by various managers and facing uncertain transfer windows, the midfielder from Little Elm, Texas, has cemented his place in Turin. He recently extended his contract with Juventus, signing a new deal that keeps him at the club until June 30, 2030. The Evolution Of A 'Gamer' Holden states that McKennie is no longer just a defensive workhorse; he has become a versatile offensive threat. "We talk about it so often, people write the guy off," Holden noted. "Coaches come in, they don't play him. ... No, the guy just signed a brand-new contract at Juventus. He’s showing he can score goals and create assists. He's a gamer." Edu shared a similar sentiment, noting that while there was once a debate over McKennie’s best position — whether as a late-arriving "number eight" or a more advanced attacker — the argument has now shifted to his importance for the USA. It's that versatility that put McKennie above the No. 78-ranked Pulisic. "He's an asset to this team, and to me, he's growing into being probably the most important player on this team," edu said. "Now, [Pulisic] is obviously the star. He is a difference maker when we're talking about scoring goals, winning games, advancing to that next stage. But, Weston kind of brings this whole group together." Holden was quick to try to correct Edu. "I'm just going to add that, he's not probably the most important player," Holden said of McKennie. "He is the most important player." A Team Ready To Make Noise As the United States prepares to co-host the World Cup, Lalas believes the tournament will serve as a massive "introduction" for a casual American audience that is about to enter the "soccer tent" for the first time. While Pulisic is better known, Lalas suggested that McKennie’s personality might actually be the more magnetic of the two. In the midst of the compare-and-contrast between the two stars, the mental makeup of the players has become a talking point. Pulisic has recently been described as "sensitive" by his own club coach, but Lalas notes that McKennie brings a different energy. "Nobody is ever going to call Weston McKennie sensitive in the best possible way," Lalas said. Better Than The Rest? Lalas didn't stop at comparing McKennie to his American teammates. In a bold assessment of McKennie's current level, Lalas placed him above some of the world's most touted stars, including AC Milan's Rafael Leão (ranked No. 71). "I do agree that Weston McKennie is better than Leão," Lalas stated. "I think he's better than all of the players in this group of five." The USA will play a pair of warm-up exhibitions against Senegal on May 31 and Germany on June 6, before the nation's World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles. The Stars and Stripes will then head to Seattle to face Australia on June 19 before closing out the group stage back in Los Angeles against Türkiye on June 25. 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19). The opening match on June 11 between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will stream for free on Tubi, as well as the USA's opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET). Read More