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PANORAMA: Comcast to split off NBCUniversal; Ukraine asks to ignore Russia during Youth Olympic Games; Bromell irritates Lyles in Paris 100

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Olympic Games ● Comcast announced Monday its plan to split off its NBCUniversal and Sky broadcast units into a separate, publicly-traded company, with the transaction expected to be completed in about a year. It’s a technology play, per the statement:

“Comcast is a leading technology company serving residential and business customers through its broadband, wireless and entertainment platforms. …

“NBCUniversal is a premier global media and entertainment company, anchored by its growing theme parks division, Universal film and television studios, NBC and Telemundo networks, Peacock, and Bravo. In addition, NBCUniversal’s global portfolio will include Sky, our European media business.”

A CNBC report explained: “The company’s share price has plummeted over the past 12 months amid significant challenges facing the media industry, driven by the shift away from the TV bundle and toward streaming.”

Comcast previously cast off its cable television networks and digital assets to create Versant Media earlier in 2026.

Observed: It can be anticipated that the Olympic television rights for 2028 and beyond will go with the new NBCUniversal company, although Comcast is likely to continue its sponsorship relations with LA28 and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee to further promote its technology products and services to the broad Olympic audience.

● Youth Olympic Games ● The Ukrainian Olympic Committee has asked the International Olympic Committee, the International Federations and the Dakar 2026 organizers for special protections during the November event:

“The appeal pays particular attention to situations that may arise during medal ceremonies should a Ukrainian athlete find themselves on the same podium as representatives from Russia or Belarus. The NOC of Ukraine requests the introduction of a special protocol that would allow Ukrainian athletes to leave the podium early after receiving their own award.

“This mechanism would grant athletes the right not to remain on the podium whilst the flags of the aggressor states are raised and their national anthems are played, and not to take part in joint photo sessions if this conflicts with their moral convictions. The NOC of Ukraine also requests assurances that such actions by Ukrainian athletes will not be regarded as a breach of the regulations and will not result in disciplinary action.

“In addition, the Ukrainian side has requested that the particular circumstances of wartime be taken into account during the competitions and that no sanctions be imposed in cases where handshakes, hugs, bows or other traditional gestures of mutual respect between Ukrainian athletes and representatives of aggressor countries, as provided for in the competition rules.”

● Athletics ● Olympic 100 m champ Noah Lyles finished second to fellow American Trayvon Bromell at the Paris Diamond League 100 m on Sunday – 9.91 to 9.92 – and then posted a still image from the television coverage of the race, showing Bromell looking back at the field (and Lyles) from lane eight as he crossed the finish line:

“Carefully there Treyvon [sic]. The last person who did this to me didn’t even make the podium next time we met.”

A report noted the reference to the 2024 Racers Grand Prix in Jamaica, where Oblique Seville beat Lyles in the 100 m but was eighth at the Paris Olympic 100.

Bromell, a two-time Worlds 100 m medal winner, said afterwards:

“I really liked my start, I pushed the wheel. I didn´t let the race get in my head. I know that I have so much more in my tank, the times and data from my biomechanics make me excited for the season. In Eugene [next week], I will go nuts. After that I will take a small break to wait for my son to come to this world.”

Lyles added later that a rematch is not immediately coming:

“It´s been a very busy year, especially this month of June. It´s been running, running, running, training and running. It´s been a lot of fun, but I think the first half of my European tour is done here. I am going to get back to the U.S. and just do other stuff.”

American Jamal Britt has been the story of the men’s 110 m hurdles this season, getting his third Diamond League win, a lifetime best of 12.89 and becoming the ninth man to sub-12.90:

“I was not expecting to run that today. Just coming out here not feeling 100%, running that time and winning is a great feeling. I was just waiting to be 100% to be able to do this. This race was not perfect, the way I wanted.

“I didn’t have the best start, but I am best at the middle and the end. Indoor season I came out with 7.4 [through hurdle 6], the first time under 7.5, that was a big statement for me. If I can put that out in the 110 m hurdles, times like this will happen all the time.”

Swiss star Audrey Werro, who was just short of the world women’s 800 m record at 1:53.80, said afterwards, “I was not expecting to run this fast this season. These recent performances have really given me hope and built my confidence to what is coming next.”

Rae Edwards, 45, a 10.00 sprinter for the U.S. back in 2010 and now a coach and media personality (RaesTakeTV), was suspended for two years, a reduced doping violation sanction for his help. Per the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency:

“Edwards committed a complicity violation in 2023 by introducing athlete Marvin Bracy-Williams to an individual whom Edwards believed to be a doctor for the purpose of obtaining testosterone. …

“Bracy-Williams’s testosterone use was reported to USADA by a whistleblower in early 2024, prompting USADA to open an investigation that included a targeted out-of-competition test, which returned a positive result and led to Bracy-Williams being sanctioned for his anti-doping rule violation. Federal authorities separately opened a criminal investigation into Paul Askew, the individual who supplied Bracy-Williams with testosterone after Edwards connected them. Edwards provided important assistance to the federal investigation, which culminated in Askew’s guilty plea under the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act (RADA) on May 26, 2026.”

This closes the circle of cases and sanctions which started with the Bracy-Williams ban. Edwards’ ban started on 15 November 2024; Bracy-Williams was suspended for 45 months beginning 5 February 2024 and then a 12-year ban for “whereabouts” failures beyond the 45-month ban.

● Badminton ● At the BWF World Tour U.S. Open in Fullerton, California, Li Yang Su (TPE) won the men’s Singles final over India’s Srikanth Kidambi, 21-15, 16-21, 21-9, and Denmark’s Line Christophersen out-lasted Kaloyana Nalbantova (BUL) in the women’s Singles, 21-16, 16-21, 21-11.

Japan won the men’s Doubles and women’s Doubles and Chinese Taipei was victorious in the Mixed Doubles final.

● Tennis ● The International Tennis Federation announced Monday a name change to World Tennis, effective immediately. Further:

“In an open letter co-signed by World Tennis President David Haggerty [USA] and World Tennis Chief Executive Officer Ross Hutchins [GBR], World Tennis pledged to reinvest back into the game at least 85% of all income it generates each year for the next decade – empowering its 214 national tennis associations – and committed to drive collaboration across the sport.”

The federation also announced a goal of expanding worldwide participation in the sport to 140 million players by 2035, from 106 million now. The organization’s income is mostly tied to the Davis Cup national-team competitions and not to shares of Olympic television revenue.

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FOOTBALL: Brazil survives on late magic; Paraguay stuns Germany, Morocco ends Dutch on penalties at FIFA World Cup amid all-time attendance record

By
Rich Perelman
-
FIFA World Cup 2026 Web site seizure graphic, courtesy U.S. Department of Justice.

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

The first of five days of three-a-day matches in the round-of-32 began on Monday and the drama was enormous.

● Brazil 2, Japan 1 ● Japan is usually in possession in its games, but in Houston, Brazil had the ball for 74% of the time up to the first hydration break and a 4-1 shots edge, but no goals.

But Japan midfielder Kaishu Sano intercepted a pass from defender Danilo at midfield in the 29th and dribbled forward to the top of the box, then sent a right-footed laser to the far left side of the goal for the 1-0 lead!

And the Japanese continued to hold possession beyond the score and held the Brazilian attack in check through halftime. Brazilian possession was down to 68% at the half and while Brazil had an 8-4 shots advantage, it was only 4-3 in the “second period.”

Brazil came out determined to find a goal and a Danilo cross to midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in front of the goal in the 52nd resulted in a header that was quickly saved by Japan keeper Zion Sukuzi. More pressure in the 54th saw midfielder Casemiro head another cross off the face of defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, standing on the goal line, rebound and then cleared by defender Hiroki Ito.

Brazil kept coming with crosses instead of trying to attack the center, and in the 56th, they got home with defender Gabriel Magalhaes’ left-footed cross from the left side to a header by Casemiro at the far right side of the goal and he scored over Suzuki’s head for the 1-1 tie.

Vinicius Junior looked for the go-ahead goal on a dribble drive on the left side in the 58th and sent a toe-poke to the far side, but Suzuki got a hand on it and it hit the far post! Japan held better to the hydro break, with Brazil at 67% of the ball but up to 14-5 on shots (6-1 in the half).

The game appeared to be headed to extra time, but at 90+5, Guimaraes had possession at the top of the box and sent a through-ball to forward Gabriel Martinelli in the middle of the box. He moved left and shot with his right foot to the right side of the Japan goal that was barely touched by Suzuki on its way inside the goal. It was 2-1 and Brazil got through. Too much magic.

Brazil was 19-5 on shots – Japan had one second-half shot – and had 69% possession, and were good enough to win when they absolutely had to. On to the last 16.

● Paraguay 1 (4), Germany 1 (3) ● The Germans were in control of the game from the start in 83 F temperatures in Foxborough, with 84% possession at the cooling break, but only 2-2 on shots.

It was difficult for the Germans to find any space on offense, with two rows of four Paraguayan defenders lined up to oppose them most of the time. And then Paraguay struck, in the 42nd, for a 1-0 lead as forward Miguel Almiron sent a pass from the right side forward and to the right of the box to midfielder Matias Galarza. He launched a perfect cross on a line into the middle of the box with unmarked midfielder Julio Enciso sending a header to the left side of the German goal for the score!

A German flurry failed to score, with a save on a left-side drive by midfielder Joshua Kimmich at 45+1. But at the half, Germany had 79% of the ball and was up 5-3 on shots. But down a goal.

More of the same in the second half, with Germany probing, but with a goal in the 54th as a cross from the left side into the box by midfielder Florian Wirtz found striker Kai Havertsz for a header to the far corner of the net for the 1-1 tie.

The Germans had 77% of possession at the hydro break and a 9-7 shots total, but continued to have problems finding space amid the Paraguay zone defense.

Havertsz was denied on another header in the 78th on a punch-away save by Paraguay keeper Orlando Gil. Repeated shots into the box went nowhere, and the first 90 ended 1-1, with the Germans at 76% possession and 14-7 on shots, meaning Paraguay had none in the “fourth quarter.”

On to extra time, and more German pressure and in the 102nd minute, another corner went to the far side of the Paraguay goal, and defender Jonathan Tah headed it in. A video review checked for a foul before the kick on German defender Waldemar Anton, which was upheld, erasing the goal! The first extra period ended 1-1, with shots 4-0 for Germany (18-7 total), and 78% of the ball.

A German header off a corner in the 119th was saved by Gil, and extra time ended with shots at 21-7 and Germany at 75% possession. In the third elimination match, we have penalty kicks.

Havertsz’s first try was saved and Paraguay made three in a row, but the Germans pulled even at 3-3 when German keeper Manuel Neuer saved Fabian Balbuena’s try. But in the sudden-death sixth round was a miss for Tah and Paraguay defender Jose Canale scored to win the game, 4-3.

The Germans are out and a third-place team – Paraguay from Group D – advanced to the round-of-16. Stunner.

● Morocco 1 (3), Netherlands 1 (2) ● This match in Monterrey is perhaps the most anticipated of all in this round and it was a physical effort from both sides.

The Moroccans were on offense quickly and Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen had to make a hard save on a header from striker Neil El Aynaoui in the 18th off a corner. In the 21st, a right-footed rocket from the right side of the box defender Achraf Hakimi was saved by Verbruggen at the near post.

At the hydration break, Morocco had 54% possession and was 3-1 on shots. As seen multiple times in this tournament, the momentum shifted after the break and the Dutch had more offense.

How physical? The game was stopped in the 38th because Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke was bleeding profusely from the forehead off a Moroccan cleat from a loose ball. Not intentional, but still rough.

The Dutch had a chance in the 44th, as defender Micky van de Ven smashed a shot from the left side that was heading in, but Moroccan keeper Yassine Bounou managed to push over the cross bar. Both sides had chances in the final minute of stoppage time at 45+5 on rushes that came up short. Possession was even in the half and Morocco led on shots, 4-3. There were 11 total fouls.

Morocco started hot in the second half and in the 50th, Hakimi charged down the right side of the box and hit the crossbar on a try to get the ball over Verbruggen. Hakimi looked to be on a breakaway in the 55th, but was tackled in the box by van de Ven.

The hydro break came in the 68th, with Morocco at 61% possession for the game and up, 8-5, on shots. The Dutch have been almost completely defensive in the second half.

In the 72nd, however, a loose ball at midfield was picked up by the Dutch forward Wout Weghorst and kicked ahead to midfielder Crysencio Summerville, who rolled down the middle of the field and was tackled at the top of the box. But he pushed the ball to his left and striker Cody Gakpo was there to pick it up and slammed it into the net from the middle of the box for the 1-0 lead! Gakpo said over the weekend that he and his partner lost her pregnancy at 24 weeks of an unborn girl, and he covered his face with emotion after the goal while being mobbed by his teammates.

Morocco went right back on offense, but the Dutch defense was packed in. But at 90+1, another late strike, as a long cross from the left side by forward Chemsdine Talbi found defender Issa Diop right in front of the goal, who headed it into the goal for a 1-1 tie. Regulation ended 1-1, with Morocco at 65% possession and up, 10-6 on shots, with the Dutch committing 12 fouls to Morocco’s 10.

In extra time, Verbruggen saved a point-blank strike by forward Soufiane Rahimi in the 96th, but then the game slowed and the first extra period ended with 68% Morocco possession and the only shot. The second period saw no heroics and it finished 1-1: 70% possession for Morocco and 11-6 on shots.

On to penalties, with the Dutch shooting first. This was crazy, with each team converting only two of their first four. In round five, Summerville’s try was saved and midfielder Ismael Saibari scored, winning the game and eliminating the Dutch. Morocco survives and advances.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

The round-of-32 matches will continue through Friday:

Tuesday, 30 June:
● Ivory Coast vs. Norway ● In Arlington (1 p.m. Eastern)
● France vs. Sweden ● In East Rutherford (5 p.m. Eastern)
● Mexico vs. Ecuador ● In Mexico City (9 p.m. Eastern)

Wednesday, 1 July:
● England vs. Dem. Rep. Congo ● In Atlanta (12 p.m. Eastern)
● Belgium vs. Senegal ● In Seattle (4 p.m. Eastern)
● U.S. vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina ● In Santa Clara (8 p.m. Eastern)

Thursday, 2 July:
● Spain vs. Austria ● In Inglewood (3 p.m. Eastern)
● Portugal vs. Croatia ● In Toronto (7 p.m. Eastern)
● Switzerland vs. Algeria ● In Vancouver (11 p.m. Eastern)

Friday, 3 July:
● Australia vs. Egypt ● In Arlington (2 p.m. Eastern)
● Argentina vs. Cape Verde ● In Miami Gardens (6 p.m. Eastern)
● Colombia vs. Ghana ● In Kansas City (9:30 p.m. Eastern)

FIFA reported that the 72 group-stage matches had a total attendance of 4,644,549, an all-time record for the World Cup, surpassing the 1994 World Cup held in the U.S., a 52-match tournament that had 3,587,538 spectators.

Interestingly, the 1994 average of 68,991 was higher than the 2026 average of 64,508 (with 32 matches to go).

As for the fans, FIFA noted that “2.8 million beers and 300,000 hot dogs” were sold at stadiums and the most popular items were “beer and chips proving most popular in Canada, hot dogs leading in the USA, and pizza and French fries topping the menu in Mexico.”

FIFA said that more than 5.5 million have attended fan festivals, and a total of 40,500 volunteers have serviced the event, from 162 countries. Media accreditations totaled 5,230.

Losing at the World Cup has consequences.

South Korea finished 1-2 and did not advance, and coach Myung-bo Hong was met by angry fans with drums upon arrival at 4 a.m. at the Incheon airport, chanting insults; Hong – who has resigned – was protected by police.

Saudi Arabia football federation head Yasser Al-Misehal resigned Monday after a 0-1-2 (W-L-T) record in Group H. He wrote on X:

“The failure of the national team to qualify for the next round of the World Cup is a result that falls short of all our ambitions, and I bear full responsibility for it. I offer my apologies to everyone who hoped to see our team in a better position.

“A sense of responsibility requires giving the opportunity to open a new chapter, and I have decided not to continue until the end of my current term.”

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa (ARG) told reporters after a 0-1-2 record in Group G, amid reports of complaints from the players:

“What do I leave for Uruguayan football? Nothing, because any contribution that a coach might make to football in a country after three years of work never truly takes hold if results aren’t achieved.

“Fourth place in the qualifiers didn’t count for much and a third-place finish in the Copa America didn’t either. And there is obviously no need to spell it out after what happened now. A tenure that left nothing behind.”

The Uruguay federation was so upset, it canceled the charter flight home from the Mexico training base to Montevideo. Players were left to make their own arrangements to wherever they decided to go, whether to Uruguay, or their club locations … or on vacation.

Miroslav Koubek resigned as head coach of the Czech team after an 0-2-1 record and fourth place in Group A.

Two Argentine nationals were arrested in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida for trying to stream the Colombia-Portugal match on Saturday,

Both are YouTube stars with hundreds of thousands of followers: Beni Marmol, 20, and Pato Perrotta, 26, who are facing felony charges for coming to the match using credentials from another event and getting past three layers of security.

They were arrested on a charge of “interference with a sporting or entertainment event” and released on a $2,500 bond. They were among 16 arrests at the game.

More on illegal streaming, as on Friday, the U.S. Justice Department announced “the seizure of nearly 400 sites that were engaged in the unauthorized streaming of matches in the FIFA World Cup Finals in violation of U.S. copyright law.”

It was noted that “Servers and domains linked to illegal streaming of World Cup games were targeted in Peru and Bulgaria, two known centers of online piracy activity. Additional ICHIP-supported disruptions took place in Croatia, Romania, Poland and Colombia.“

The statement added that “The Criminal Division will continue to disrupt and, where appropriate, seek to prosecute these sites and the subjects responsible for this criminal activity.”

U.S. authorities have “detected” 1,139 drones at World Cup sites with more than 500 seized by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations as evidence.

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INT’L OLYMPIC COMMITTEE: Annual report for 2025 showcases lots of activities, but reports first normal-cycle operating loss since 2017

By
Rich Perelman
-
Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland, home of the International Olympic Committee

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≡ IOC ANNUAL REPORT ≡

The 2025 annual report from the International Olympic Committee was a familiar, colorful recitation of an important year in 2025, as the leadership of the organization transitioned from German Thomas Bach to Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry.

The report details the IOC’s many activities, notably including its direct payments to athletes through its Olympic Solidarity programs, including 1,027 Olympic Scholarships for the LA28 Games, with athletes from 125 National Olympic Committees receiving support. There are also 28 NOCs which are receiving special support, mostly for teams.

In terms of finances, the IOC dropped the headline that it distributes 90% of its revenue back to the Olympic Movement, but stated it had $7.7 billion in revenues and $6.8 billion in distributions for the period of 2021-24, or 88.3%, which is pretty close. A review in June 2025 by The Sports Examiner evaluated the IOC’s financials a little differently and showed about 74% of its revenue between 2021-24 was distributed back to the Movement.

The IOC’s revenue base continues to be heavily weighted to broadcast rights at 55% of the total for the quadrennial and another 36% to its TOP sponsorships: that’s 91% of the total.

The audited financial statements showed an oddity: the IOC lost money in 2025:

● $649.969 million revenue ($0 broadcast rights)

● $218.157 million for Olympic-related costs (including Solidarity)
● $358.296 million distributions to organizers, federations, NOCs
● $191.935 million for Promotion of the Olympic Movement (digital)
● $213.020 million for administration (32.7% of revenues)

● Operating loss of $331.439 million
● Investment gain of $291.879 million
● Net loss of $39.569 million

Throwing out the Covid-19-impacted year of 2020, in which broadcast rights payments were delayed, causing a paper loss, this was the first time that the IOC had an annual loss since 2017, the year following the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (–$117.167 million).

No cause for worry, however, as the IOC stated in mid-2025 that it had already contracted for $7.7 billion in revenue for the 2025-28 quad, with more to come.

Further, the IOC has substantial resources, with $6.969 billion in assets and $4.907 billion in reserves.

The IOC’s distributions in 2025 included some big money to organizing committees:

● $891.974 million in broadcast money to Milan Cortina 2026
● $391.774 million in broadcast money to LA28

● $94.978 million in TOP sponsorship money to Milan Cortina 2026
● $99.344 million in TOP sponsorship money to LA28

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, as part of its revenue-sharing agreement with the IOC, received $81.588 million for its share of the TOP sponsorship program in 2025. The USOPC also received $150,000 in licensing rights revenue from the IOC.

The IOC also paid significant support payments to the World Anti-Doping Agency ($23.616 million), $9.380 million to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and $2.000 million to the International Paralympic Committee.

Observed: An item to watch for the future is the IOC’s administrative costs, which reached 32.7% of revenues for 2025 and totaled $213.020 million in a non-Games year. This is up significantly from $173.875 million in the 2022 (Winter Games), $185.464 million in 2023 (no Games) and even $196.318 million in the Olympic year of 2024.

It will be fascinating to see how Coventry, who was a government minister in Zimbabwe before her election to head the IOC, deals with a rapidly expanding bureaucracy built by her predecessor.

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PANORAMA: World swim records for Walsh in women’s 50 m Free, Steenbergen in 100 m Free; Russians leave Rhythmic World Cup over ban of flag!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Dutch sprint World Champion Marrit Steenbergen (Photo: World Aquatics/Aniko Kovacs).

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

● Swimming ● Fireworks at the 67th Trofeo Sette Colli meet in Rome (ITA), starting with a world record on Saturday for Dutch two-time World Champion Marrit Steenbergen in the women’s 100 m Freestyle, winning in 51.68 and breaking Swede Sarah Sjostrom’s 2017 mark of 51.71.

Steenbergen had set a lifetime best of 51.86 last month to move to no. 2 all-time and now she is no. 1. She swam all alone, as Hong Kong star – and two-time Olympic 100 m Free medalist – Siobhan Haughey was a distant second in 52.52. Haughey won the 200 m Free in 1:55.00.

Earlier, 2025 World Champion Gretchen Walsh of the U.S. won the 50 m Butterfly in 24.51, the second-fastest time in history, an American Record and just short of Sjostrom’s 24.43 in 2014. Sjostrom was second in the race – 10 months after maternity – in 25.05! Walsh had the U.S. record at 24.66 from the 2025 USA Swimming national championships.

Walsh followed up with a dominant win in the 100 m Fly in 54.82, the no. 5 performance in history … of which she owns all five and is the world-record holder.

On Sunday, Walsh was at it again, this time winning the 50 m Free in another world record, at 23.55, breaking fellow American Kate Douglass’ mark of 23.59 from the Tyr Pro Swim Series in Indianapolis in 19 June. Sjostrom, the former world-record holder, was second at 23.86; it’s Walsh’s first long-course world record.

Gretchen’s sister Alex Walsh – the 2022 World Champion in the 200 m Medley – was also a double winner, taking the women’s 200 m and 400 m Medleys.

Romania’s World Champion David Popovici moved to no. 2 on the world list for 2026 in the men’s 100 m Free in 47.26. He also won the 200 m Free in a speedy 1:44.48,, again moving to no. 2 in the world.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Athletics ● Fleet Feet posted that its Chief Running Officer, Jenny Simpson, 39, the 2011 World women’s 1,500 m gold medalist, was released from Duke University Hospital on Friday (26th), after collapsing during a running event on 16 June:

“During the event, Jenny suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and received immediate lifesaving care, including CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), before being transported to UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh. She was later transferred to Duke University Hospital.

“For the time being, Jenny will remain in North Carolina with her husband, Jason, and their two pups, where her focus will be on rest and healing.”

This is unique: a standard-distance marathon is being planned to be run inside an IKEA store in Croydon, England in December 2027. The route, through the store and warehouse, is expected to be about 1.5 km per loop, requiring about 28 loops.

The field will be limited to 80 entrants. The idea came from Sussex Trail Events, which has held events in parking structures and other unique settings.

● Gymnastics ● Following a decision by former Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc, now the mayor of the city of Cluj-Napoca not to allow the Russian and Belarusian flags to be displayed during the World Gymnastics Rhythmic World Challenge Cup, the Russian team withdrew on Friday. According to Russian federation press attache  Linar Ginatullin:

“The organizers verbally notified us that the Russian national flag will not be displayed in the arena and the national anthem will not be played if the Russian gymnasts win.

“This is a direct violation of the May decision of the World Gymnastics Executive Committee, according to which the Russian gymnasts were fully reinstated. It also violates the World Gymnastics Charter and the updated provisions of the Olympic Charter, which are aimed at protecting sport and athletes from any external political, governmental, social, and economic pressure. Our national team is always ready to compete in tournaments that comply with World Gymnastics’ requirements.”

World Gymnastics told the Russian news agency TASS: “We have taken note of the information and are evaluating it. If new information emerges, we will report it in due course. At this stage, we are refraining from further comment.”

At the 2025 World Artistic Championships in Jakarta, the Indonesian government did not allow Israeli athletes to enter the country, and they were not able to compete. World Gymnastics did nothing.

● Weightlifting ● The International Weightlifting Federation became the seventh Olympic-program International Federation to reinstate Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competition.

The IWF statement noted, “The decision follows the recent recommendations of the IOC regarding the principles of neutrality in sport and the importance of providing athletes with fair opportunities to compete at the highest international level.”

≡ RESULTS ≡

● Athletics ● A world-leading women’s triple jump for Olympic champion Thea LaFond (DMA) at the 76th Hanzekovic Memorial in Zagreb (CRO) on Friday, winning at 15.25 m (50-1 1/2) and moving to equal-ninth on the all-time list!

Excepting world-record holder Yulimar Rojas (VEN), it’s the furthest jump by anyone  else since 2014! Cuba’s Leyanis Perez was a distant second at 14.76 m (48-5 1/4).

There were plenty of other highlights, including American Jamal Britt lowering his lifetime best in the 110 m hurdles to 12.98 (+1.2), just ahead of Japan’s Rachid Muratake, who got a national record of 13.00.

Americans Alaysha Johnson and Rayniah Jones were 1-2 in the women’s 100 m hurdles, both timed in 12.43 (-0.2) to stand equal-fifth in the world this year.

Nathan Green of the U.S. won the men’s 1,500 m in 3:32.46, a seasonal best, with Sam Prakel fifth in 3:32.90; in the women’s javelin, Madison Wiltrout was second at 60.17 m (197-5).

Olympic bronze winner Rajindra Campbell (JAM) moved to no. 3 on the world list in the men’s shot with a lifetime best of 22.44 m (73-7 1/2), ahead of Italy’s 2023 Worlds silver winner Leonardo Fabbri (22.21 m/72-10 1/2). American Roger Steen was fourth at 21.42 m (70-3 1/2). Poland’s five-time World Champion Pawel Fajdek moved to world no. 4 with a men’s hammer win at 81.89 m (268-8).

Legendary Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, who turned 34 on 28 June, continued her comeback with a women’s 100 m win in 10.91 (+0.9), now no. 10 in the world this year. Teammate Stacey-Ann Williams moved to no. 5 in the world in the women’s 400 m in 49.48.

The 28th Stadtwerke Ratingen multi-events meet in Germany was a good one for home favorite Leo Neugebauer, the 2025 World Champion, who scored 8,537 to win. The 2024 European bronze medalist, Makenson Gletty (FRA) was second at 8,458; Americans Devon Williams (8,402) and Harrison Williams (8,345) finished 3-4.

World heptathlon leader Annik Kalin (SUI) won the women’s competition with a new leading mark of 6,816, well ahead of American Erin Marsh (6,305 lifetime best) and German Sandrina Sprengel (6,218). American Lexie Keller was 10th (6,017).

The headline from the Pan American Championships in Medellin (COL) was the men’s 100 m, where Colombia’s Ronal Longa steamed to a 9.85 win with +1.5 m/s wind, moving to no. 3 on the world list for 2026. His prior best was 9.96 from 2025.

● Gymnastics ● At the USA Gymnastics National Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Rin Keys won the Rhythmic All-Around title for the third straight year, scoring 117.800 points, over Megan Chu (113.000) and Natalie de la Rosa (111.400). Keys is now one of six who have won three consecutive U.S. championships.

Chu won the Hoop final (29.200); Keys won on Ball (27.950) and Ribbon (29.900), and de la Rosa took the Clubs final (29.150).

In Trampoline, Leah Garofalo took the women’s title at 54.040 over Ava DeHanes (52.260), and Aliaksei Shostak won the men’s gold (his second, also in ’23), scoring 58.940, with Isaac Rowley at 58.160 for second and Ruben Padilla third (57.610).

In the synchronized finals, Isaac Rowley and Elijah Vogel took the men’s title at 52.410; Maia Amano and Kennedi Roberts won the women’s gold (48.790) and Garofalo and Nate Erkert won the mixed competition at 48.860.

Paris Olympic champ Darya Varfolomeev (GER) took the All-Around title at the World Gymnastics Rhythmic World Challenge Cup in Cluj-Napoca (ROU), winning all four events and scoring 116.950 to edge Ukraine’s Taisiia Onofriichuk (112.000).

In the apparatus finals, Varfolomeev won on Clubs (30.250); Onofriichuk took the Hoop gold (28.850) and the Ribbon title (28.000). Liliana Lewinska (POL) won on Ball (28.250).

At the World Gymnastics Trampoline World Cup in Arosa (SUI), China’s 2025 World Champion Zihai Wang won the men’s final at 66.58 and Russian Anzhela Bladtseva was the women’s individual winner, scoring 58.81.

● Hockey ● The Netherlands won their fourth FIH women’s Pro League title in a row as the season ended on Sunday, storming through the season with a 14-1 record and 46 points, earning a berth in the 2028 Olympic tournament as a result.

Argentina (11-4: 31) was second and Belgium (10-6: 30) finished third.

The men’s tournament finished with Belgium as champions, at 14-2 (39), ahead of England (13-3: 35) and Australia (10-6: 30). Belgium won their second title – also in 2021 – and also qualifies for LA28.

● Judo ● Japan was busy again at the IJF World Tour Qingdao Grand Prix in China, taking five titles, in the men’s 60 kg (Hayato Kondo), 66 kg (Olympic champ Hifumi Abe), 73 kg (Worlds bronzer Tatsuki Ishihara), plus in the women’s women’s 52 kg (Kokoro Fujishiro) and 63 kg (Narumi Tanioka).

● Modern Pentathlon ● Germany’s Marvin Dogue emerged as the men’s winner at the UIPM World Cup Final in Budapest (HUN), winning the fencing segment, but starting 26 seconds behind leader Giorgio Malan (ITA) in the Laser Run. But Dogue was almost 16 seconds faster in the final event and compiled a total of 1,597 points to edge Matej Lukes (CZE: 1,589) and Poland’s Lukasz Gutkowski (1,581).

The women’s champion was Swiss Anna Jurt, who was fifth in fencing, second in Obstacle, only 16th in the swimming, but won the Laser Run to move from fifth to first to score 1,493 points. That overtook the prior leader, Viyaleta Hureyeva (BLR: 1,488). Spain’s Laura Heredia (1,481) was third.

● Rowing ● The U.S, had another strong showing at the World Rowing World Cup III in Lucerne (SUI), winning seven medals in Olympic-program events and taking its first World Rowing Cup Trophy with 114 total points.

Germany’s Olympic champ Oliver Zeidler won the men’s Single Sculls in 6:46.49, with American Sam Melvin third in 6:49.44. Belgians Aaron Adries and Tibo Byvey won the Double Sculls in 6:19.50, with Jacob Plihal and Cedar Cunningham of the U.S. in third (6:20.82). In the Pairs final, Angus Dawson and Alexander Hill (AUS: 6:33.35) were the winners, ahead of the U.S.’s Madison Molitor and Pieter Quinton (6:35.97).

Great Britain won the Quadruple Sculls and the Fours, with U.S. boats fourth and sixth in the Fours final. The Netherlands won the men’s Eights.

In the women’s events, Britain’s Lauren Henry, the 2025 Worlds runner-up, took the Single Sculls in 7:33.18 and British entries won the Quadruple Sculls (6:30.98) and the Eights (6:08.54), with the U.S. third in the Eights final at 6:11.26.

The U.S. Pairs team of Regina Salmons and Mia Levy won their final in 7:09.39 and the Americans won the Quadruple Sculls in 6:30.198. In the Double Sculls, Roos De Jong and Benthe Boonstra (NED) won in 7:03.02, with the U.S. 2-3 with Sophia Vitas and Emily Kallfelz (7:03.50) and Isabela Darvin and Evan Park (7:05.74).

In the 12 Olympic-program events, the U.S. won three men’s medals (0-1-2) and four women’s podiums (2-1-1).

● Sailing ● At the annual Kieler Woche in Kiel (GER), regattas in six Olympic Classes were held, with winners from six different countries!

The men’s 49er winners were Joshua Richner and Nilo Scharerat just 17.0 total points, while Canada’s 2025 Worlds bronzers Georgia Lewin-Lafrance and Antonia Lewin-Lafrance won the women’s 49erFX title, winning five races and finishing with 28.0 points.

The women’s ILCA6 gold was won by Helena Wolff (DEN), with three wins and just 20.0 points. The ILCA7 men’s title was for Attilio Borio (ITA), with just 16.0 net points.

The Nacra 17 win went to three-time World Champions John Gimson and Anna Burnet, with five wins and just 23.0 points. The mixed-crew 470 winners were 2025 Worlds silver winners Simon Diesch and Anna Markfort (GER), who won three races and totaled 27.0 points.

● Weightlifting ● There were familiar faces on top of the podium at the U.S. nationals in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as three men and three women who won titles in 2025 won again.

The men’s repeaters included Paris Olympic 61 kg bronze winner Hampton Morris, who defended his 2025 nationals win at the heavier 71 kg class, lifting a combined 316 kg in 2026. Also repeating were Ryan Grimsland in the 79 kg class (322 kg) and Xavier Borde at 110 kg (327 kg total).

New champions included Kaiden Mima at 60 kg (245 kg combined), Bryson Brown at 65 kg (265 kg), Ryan McDonald at 88 kg (325 kg), moving up from second in 2025; Daniel Wiitanen at 94 kg (353 kg) and Keiser Witte at 110+ kg, lifting a combined total of 391 kg.

The women’s champions from 2025 who won in 2026 starts with Diana “D” Irizarry at 53 kg (189 kg total), who won at 48 kg last year; Miranda Ulrey who repeated at 58 kg (210 kg), and Estelle Rohr, who won at 77 kg (220 kg) after a win at 69 kg in 2025.

Virginie Beljour was the new champion at 48 kg (148 kg); Sophia Shaft won at 63 kg with a combined 244 kg; Meredith Alwine took the 69 kg title at 217 kg; Ella Nicholson won in the 86 kg division at 254 kg, and Caitlin Thilges, second in 2025, moved up to gold in 2026 in the 86+ kg class at 256 kg total.

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FOOTBALL: FIFA World Cup knock-out round starts with Canadian strike for a 1-0 win over South Africa; median group-stage ticket price was $913

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

The first elimination game of the FIFA World Cup was at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with the second-place teams from Groups A and B – Canada and South Africa – facing off.

This was end-to-end action from the start, but strong defending and only two shots (1-1) in the first 15 minutes. South Africa had 65% possession at the hydration break, but Canada – with the crowd on their side – had a 3-2 shot edge.

Canada had a real chance in the 44th, off a corner that was headed by defender Moise Bombito, and the shot had to be cleared by South African defender Aubrey Modiba, and then a rebound shot by forward Tajon Buchanan was kicked away by keeper Ronwen Williams. At 45+1 a possible penalty in the box on defender Richie Laryea on a tackle by South Africa’s Khuliso Mudau was waved off as incidental. The late rush gave Canada an 7-3 shots edge while South Africa finished the half with 55% possession.

The game was end-to-end again in the second half and Canadian forward Tani Oluwaseyi ran onto a lead pass in the 65th and got a clean shot on goal that was saved by Williams, then a rebound was stabbed at by striker Jonathan David, but kicked away by defender Mbekezell Mbozaki, saving a sure goal.

At the second hydro break, it was still scoreless, with South Africa at 59% possession, but the shots piling up for Canada (9-4). Canada was getting more cohesion and  forward Promise David just missed a long-range shot to the left in the 76th.

The Canadian pressure finally paid off at 90+2 as an entry pass into the box was headed back into the midfield and midfielder Stephen Eustaquio ran up to smash a  right-footed one-timer into the South Africa net for the 1-0 lead and a wild celebration of the pro-Canada crowd.

Canada held off the South African rally and won the game, 1-0, with 42% possession but much more aggressive, with a 12-6 edge on shots.

Canada moves on and their “reward” will be to play the winner of Netherlands-Morocco on Monday, on 4 July in Houston.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

The elimination round-of-32 slate for Monday and Tuesday:

Monday, 29 June 2026:
● Brazil vs. Japan ● In Houston (1 p.m. Eastern)
● Germany vs. Paraguay ● In Foxborough (4:30 p.m. Eastern)
● Netherlands vs. Morocco ● In Monterrey (9 p.m. Eastern)

Tuesday, 30 June 2026:
● Ivory Coast vs. Norway ● In Arlington (1 p.m. Eastern)
● France vs. Sweden ● In East Rutherford (5 p.m. Eastern)
● Mexico vs. Ecuador ● In Mexico City (9 p.m. Eastern)

In terms of advancement, the big winner of the expansion to 48 teams and 32 in the knock-out round was Africa, and always-strong Europe also did better than in 2022:

● 13: Europe (of 16 entries; vs. 8/13 in 2022)
● 9: Africa (of 10 entries; vs. 2/5 in 2022)
● 5: South America (of 6 entries; vs. 2/4 in 2022)
● 3: North & Central America & the Caribbean (of 6 entries; vs. 1/4 in 2022)
● 2: Asia (of 9 entries; vs. 3/6 in 2022).

The 16 elimination-round teams in 2018 in Russia included 10 from Europe, four from South America and one each from Asia and CONCACAF.

The tracking site TicketData.com noted that for the 72 matches of the group stage, the median get-in price settled at a final of $913, with 61 matches rising in price since the tournament began.

The median price almost doubled – up 49% – since the 11 June start and 11 matches saw increases of 10-25%, 16 matches were up 25-50% and 34 matches went up by more than 50%.

As for the remaining knock-out round matches, the current median get-in price is $1,852, with half of the matches rising in price since 11 June by 50% or more and just eight that fell in price or were flat.

The lowest-priced round-of-32 ticket as of Sunday morning was Belgium vs. Senegal on 1 July in Seattle, at $449.

The CBC reported that British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma has opened an inquiry into the handling of World Cup tickets by StubHub, “in the wake of a CBC News investigation that revealed a mass failure by the ticket reseller platform and StubHub’s cancellation of thousands of fan tickets for World Cup matches in Vancouver, Toronto and host cities across North America.”

Iran was eliminated after the group stage after the wild finishes in Saturday’s game, but left another hand-written note in its locker room following its 1-1 draw with Egypt in Seattle on Friday:

“We come from Iran… from a land that, for thousands of years, has placed honour above victory.

“For us, football is not only a competition for results, it is a test of character.

“Perhaps points can be won in many ways, but respect cannot.

“Perhaps a team can advance from a group, but only through fairness and honour can one stand tall before history.

“Fair play is not just a line in football rules, it is the soul of the game.

“Thank you Seattle for your hospitality, and thank you to all Iranians… who gave their hearts, their voices, and their whole being for Iran. Iran, always standing tall.”

Iranian officials complained vociferously about poor treatment from the U.S. government – in the middle of a major conflict over Iranian nuclear ambitions – during the World Cup, with matches played in Inglewood, California and Seattle.

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ATHLETICS: Swiss Werro scares 800 m world record in 1:53.80 at Paris Diamond League, and U.S. wins for Bromell, Fisher and Britt

By
Rich Perelman
-
Swiss Audrey Werro on the way to a sensational 1:53.80 at the 2026 Paris Diamond League (Photo: Marta Gorczynska for Diamond League AG).

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≡ PARIS DIAMOND LEAGUE ≡

The summer heat wave in Europe impacted the eighth stage of the 2026 Diamond League at the Stade Charlety in Paris (FRA), with all of the events other than those for “professional” athletes canceled – essentially the youth and club events – but the meet went on.

The conditions weren’t too bad, with 83 F temperatures when the main part of the meet started, and a nice crowd on hand to see four world-leading performances:

● Men/800 m: 1:41.84, Marco Arop (CAN)
● Men/1,500 m: 3:28.00, Cam Myers (AUS)
● Women/400 m: 48.48, Marileidy Paulino (DOM)
● Women/800 m: 1:53.80, Audrey Werro (SUI)

The women’s 800 m was a run at the world record of 1:53.28 by Czech Jarmila Kratochvilova (1983) with Swiss Diamond League Final winner Audrey Werro being challenged by Femke Broeders-Bol (NED) and they were 1-2 after the pacer left. Coming into the final turn, Bol was passed by France’s Anais Bourgoin, but Werro blasted away in the straight and ran to the finish in 1:53.80, the no. 3 performance in history!

Bol came back on Bourgoin and got second at the line, in a stunning 1:55.60, no. 3 in the world for 2026 and Bourgoin got a national record at 1:55.65 (no. 4). Five broke 1:57! American Roisin Willis finished ninth in 1:58.66.

The men’s 800 m was all about Canada’s 2023 World Champion Marco Arop. He followed the pacer through 400 m, was in front by 500 m and ran away. He had a 20 m lead into the turn and more into the straight and won all alone in a world-leading 1:41.84! He’s now no. 11 all-time. Behind him were Niels Laros (NED: 1:43.60) and Tobias Gronstad (NOR: 1:43.63).

The women’s 400 m was a clear win for Olympic champ Paulino, who came into the lead on the final turn and blew away the field down the straight. She finished in a world-leading 48.48, her third-fastest time ever. Czech Lurdes Manuel came on over the straight to get second in a lifetime best of 49.37 with Jamaica’s Stacey Ann Williams third in 49.51.

The 2022 World Champion, Jake Wightman (GBR), was in the men’s 1,500 m, and the field crossed 800 m in 1:52.12. But that was the take-off point for Australia’s Cam Myers and he moved away from France’s Azeddine Habz … and the lead kept growing. He rolled down the straight and won easily in a lifetime best of 3:28.00, a world lead and now no.12 all-time. He’s 20, by the way.

Habz was second in 3:29.80 and Wightman got third (3:29.95). American Vince Ciattei was 14th in 3:36.47.

The men’s 100 m had Olympic champ Noah Lyles and World Indoor champ Jordan Anthony, but two-time Worlds medalist Trayvon Bromell – in lane eight – who had the best start and maintained the lead. Lyles was coming on, as usual, in the second half, but ran out of room and finished second, 9.91 to 9.92 (+0.1 m/s). Tokyo Olympic champ Lamont Marcell Jacobs (ITA) surprised in third in 9.96 and Anthony, who did not get the start he wanted, was fifth in 9.99.

Americans Kendrick Smallwood and Trey Cunningham led the 110 hurdles heats, and Cunningham was out best in the final. He was challenged by emerging U.S. star Jamal Britt, who moved strongly in the middle and took over and was clear to the finish in a lifetime best of 12.89 (+0.8)! Cunningham hit two of the last three hurdles and was passed on the run-in by Japan’s Shunsuke Izumiya for second, 13.01 to 13.07. Smallwood started poorly and was eighth in 13.46.

The men’s 5,000 m was about France’s 10,000 m World Champion Jimmy Gressier, but it was Etienne Daguinos (FRA) who was all alone by 3,000 m. He was caught by 3,600 m and Egide Ntakarutimana (BDI) had the lead at the bell. He continued until 200 m to go, then Sweden’s Andreas Almgren took the lead into the straight. He got passed by Kenya’s Jacob Krop and then Krop was passed by Grant Fisher of the U.S., who won in 12:54.80 to 12:55.22. Almgren was third in 12:55.38 and Ntakarutimana for fourth (12:56.06); Graham Blanks of the U.S. was sixth in 12:57.12. The last lap was in 54.62 for Fisher’s first Diamond League win.

In the men’s 400 m, Britain’s Olympic runner-up Matthew Hudson-Smith led the race around the turn, but 2025 World Champion Collen Kebinatshipi (BOT) pulled up on the straight and won easily in 43.54, with Zakithi Nene (RSA) second in 43.89 and American Chris Bailey with a lifetime best of 44.06 moving on the straight for third, Hudson-Smith had to settle for fourth in 44.09. Kebinatshipi remains no. 2 in the world in 2026, but with a seasonal best. Nene is now no. 3 this year.

There were 22 men in the Steeple, with Gemechu Godana (ETH) leading at 2,000 m and four were in contact at the bell. Godana was still in front with 200 to go and then German Karl Bebendorf came up on Godana and won at the line in a lifetime best of 8:05.55, with Godana at 8:05.86. Kenya’s Edmund Serem was third in 8:08.54; American Matt Wilkinson was sixth in 8:11.35, and Carson Williams was 15th in 8:20.67.

Six cleared 5.83 m (19-1 1/2) in the men’s vault, plus world-record holder Mondo Duplantis (SWE), who cleared 5.63 m (18-5 1/2) and kept passing. Eight jumped at 5.93 m (19-5 1/2) and Duplantis took the lead with a first-time clearance. France’s Baptiste Thiery also cleared on his first try, and they went on to 6.03 m (19-9 1/4), but only Duplantis cleared for the win, with Thiery second. Duplantis cleared 6.13 m (20-1 1/4) to win and moved up to a world record 6.32 m (20-8 3/4), but missed all three tries.

American Chris Nilsen was fourth at 5.83 m; two-time World Champion Sam Kendricks of the U.S. was eighth at 5.73 m (18-9 1/2) and KC Lightfoot cleared 5.63 m and was ninth.

World-record holder Tobi Amusan (NGR) was away well in the women’s 100 m hurdles, as was Dutch star Nadine Visser. But as Amusan stayed in front, American Grace Stark came up to second and chased Amusan to the line, 12.28 to 12.38 (+0.7). Fellow American Alaysha Johnson also passed Visser on the run-in, 12.39 to 12.41. American Rayniah Jones finished sixth in 12.60.

Australian Paris 1,500 m silver winner Jessica Hull had the lead in the women’s 1,500 m at 800 m, but was being tracked by 2024 World Indoor champ Freweyni Hailu (ETH) and 2026 World Indoor winner Georgia Hunter-Bell (GBR) at the bell. Hailu surged into the lead with 240 m to go, followed by Hunter-Bell, who jetted to the lead in the straight. Hailu came back on her and they finished 1-2 at 3:55.63 to 3:55.92. France’s Agathe Guillemot got a national record in third (3:56.24) with Hull at 3:57.22.

Three cleared 4.70 m (15-5) in the women’s vault, and Swiss Angelica Moser was the only one to clear 4.77 m (15-7 3/4) as the winner. New Zealand’s Rio Olympic bronze winner Eliza McCartney and Olympic champ Nina Kennedy were 2-3, both at 4.70. American Emily Grove was fourth at 4.60 m (15-1), Gabriela Leon was sixth (also 4.60 m) and Brynn King was 10th at 4.45 m (14-7 1/4).

Canadian star Sarah Mitton got out to 19.99 m (65-7) in round three and that was good enough to win the women’s shot, just ahead of Olympic champ Yemisi Mabry (GER: 19.93 m/65-4 3/4). The U.S. entries were 7-8-9: Abria Smith (18.46 m/60-6 3/4), Jaida Ross (18.18 m/59-7 3/4) and Adelaide Aquilla (18.09 m/59-4 1/4)

China’s world leader, Ziyi Yan, bombed the women’s javelin field with a monster 67.44 m (221-3) throw in the first round. Serbia’s Adriana Vilagos was second with her second-round throw of 63.83 m (209-5) and Japan’s Olympic champ Haruka Kitaguchi took third at 63.01 m (206-8).

The single Diamond League meet in the U.S. comes next week at the Pre Classic in Eugene.

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FOOTBALL: Bellingham, Kane star for England; Colombia wins group after 0-0 with Portugal; Dem. Rep. Congo advances in FIFA World Cup!

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

The final day of the group stage had six matches and England got what it needed to win Group L, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo came from behind to beat Uzbekistan and advance to the knock-out round. The scoreless tie between Group K winner Colombia and Portugal was hardly boring, with 37 total shots!

● Group L: England 2, Panama 0 ● Rainy conditions for this match in East Rutherford, with England (1-0-1 W-L-T) on offense immediately and Panama (0-2) waiting for counterattack possibilities. The hydration break came with England taking five shots to one and with 74% possession. But no goals, after none against Ghana in their second game.

England continued with the ball for the remainder of the half and had nine shots to three at halftime and 72% of the ball, but it was still 0-0 against a strong Panama defense.

England’s scoring ace Harry Kane almost scored in the 52nd, but a pass to the front of the Panama’s goal went off his left, then off the leg of a defender and ended up on the top of the net. Kane smashed a right-foot strike from the right side of the box in the 57th that was saved by Panama keeper Orlando Mosquera.

But off a corner by forward Bukayo Saka in the 62nd, midfielder Jude Bellingham was being held by defender Andres Andrade, and as the ball came into the box, he stuck out his left foot and the ball flew into the goal for the 1-0 lead.

Bellingham made the play again in the 67th, this time on a cross from the left side, near the endline, with a looping pass into the middle of the box for Kane, who headed it in for a 2-0 edge. It’s his 11th career World Cup goal, the most in English history. That led to the hydro break, with England at 71% possession and 14-5 on shots.

Panama got a goal from striker Jose Fajardo with a hard shot just inside the box off a breakaway at 90+1, but was called offsides (barely). It ended 2-0 with 68% possession for England and 17-13 on shots.

● Group L: Croatia 2, Ghana 1 ● There were lively moments right away in this game in Philadelphia, with Croatia (1-1) off to the races after Ghana (1-0-1) turnovers, but just two shots in the first 25 minutes to the hydro break, with Ghana holding 52% of possession.

The Croatian offense finally arrived in the 31st on a midfielder Petar Sucic strike from well beyond the top of the box off of a feed from midfielder Mateo Kovacic, for the 1-0 lead. That was the score at half, with Croatia enjoying a 5-1 shots advantage and Ghana not seriously threatening at all.

The teams were sharing possession in the second half and Ghana pushed harder on offense, but Croatia maintaining 53% of the ball and 5-3 on shots. On a free kick by forward Ernest Nuamah from the right side, beyond the top of the box, defender Derrick Luckassen ran onto the ball right in front of the net and scored to tie it in the 73rd, following a video review!

Croatia wanted a response and got a perfect play in the 83rd off a corner by midfield star Luka Modric that came down for midfielder Nikola Vlasic at the back of the formation, who sent the header to the far left corner of the net for a 2-1 lead.

That’s how it ended, withy Croatia finishing at 53% possession and 8-6 on shots and second in the group.

● Group L ● England won two games and topped the group at 2-0-1 and seven points. Both Croatia and Ghana advanced, but the Croatia win to get to 2-1 means they are second and Ghana (1-1-1) was third and moving on as well.

● Group K: Colombia 0, Portugal 0 ● Colombia (2-0) was in excellent position against Portugal (1-0-1) in in hot (85 F) and humid (70%) conditions in Miami Gardens, and the Colombians were on offense with seven shots at the first break, to three for Portugal, even with only 43% of possession.

Portugal found more offense after the break and Colombian keeper Camilo Vargas had to make a great save in the 39th on a point-blank blast by midfielder Bruno Fernandes. Colombia regained the offense right at the end of the half, but it ended scoreless, with Colombia at 55% of the ball and a lively 13-9 on shots.

The second half started with more energy and back-and-forth attacks. Portugal’s scoring star Cristiano Ronaldo was offside and missed a chance wide in the 60th. Colombia’s midfielder Richard Rios had a chance in front of goal in the 62nd, but it went wide. Colombian midfielder Santiago Arias sent a bullet in the 66th, but was saved by Diogo Costa, his sixth save. At the hydro break, Colombia led 18-11 on shots and had 55% of the ball.

Both teams were up and down the field, and Costa made another acrobatic save in the 87th to keep Portugal even. But at 90+1, a header from Davinson Sanchez looked like the game winner, but was called for offsides (barely). It ended scoreless, with 37 total shots in the game – 24 for Colombia – thanks to 54% possession and they win the group.

● Group K: Dem. Rep. Congo 2, Uzbekistan 1 ● The Africans (0-1-1) needed a win in Atlanta to advance. But it was Uzbekistan (0-2) took an early 1-0 lead in the 10th from striker Eldor Shomurodov, who popped the ball over the head of D.R. Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi off a long feed from midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev.

It didn’t take long for the Leopards to respond, in the 17th, with a score from striker Nathaniel Mbuku and an assist to forward Brian Cipenga, but the goal was rescinded for a prior foul by Mbuku after a review. The hydro break came shortly after, with 54% of the ball for D.R. Congo, but only one shot apiece.

The half ended 1-0, with D.R. Congo up to 64% possession and a 4-2 edge on shots.

Still trying to find a equalizer, the Leopards suddenly had a golden opportunity in the 66th, as striker Yoane Wissa was brought down in the box by Abdukodir Khusanov. Wissa took the penalty in the 68th and scored easily on a pass to the right side of the goal. The Leopards had 64% of the ball at the second hydro break and was up 11-3 on shots.

And they kept coming and got the second goal they desperately wanted from forward Fiston Mayele in the 78th, scoring off a deflected ball off a drive by forward Meschack Elia. And the win was confirmed with another goal for Wissa at 90+1 on a drive from 20 yards out from a left-side pass by Elia, for the 3-1 final. The Leopards had 58% possession and, in the end, dominated the game with 19-3 on shots.

● Group K ● Colombia was 2-0-1 and won the group with seven points, and Portugal at 1-0-2 (5) was second. The impressive performance of D.R. Congo earned them their first advancement at 1-1-1 in their second appearance, and will face England in the round-of-32.

● Group J: Argentina 3, Jordan 1 ● Argentina (2-0) had already clinched the group before this match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, so nine new players started and superstar Lionel Messi started the game on the bench. Argentina was busy right away and midfielder Giovani Lo Celso scored in the seventh minute, but the goal was wiped off for offsides.

No worries; Lo Celso had a free kick from just outside the box in the 19th and drilled it into the far side of the net with the left foot for the 1-0 lead. Wow. At the hydration break, Argentina had 79% possession and both shots in the game.

In the 29th, Jordan defender Ehsan Haddad was called for a penalty in the box for not playing the ball. Striker Lautauro Martinez took the penalty in the 31st and buried the ball in the far left corner for the 2-0 lead. There were plenty more chances for Argentina, but no more goals in the half; Argentina had 72% possession and 5-3 on shots.

Argentina created more chances in the second half, but then Haddad sent a perfect cross from the right side and forward Mousa Al-Tamari came and met the ball with the left foot and scored in the 55th to cut the score to 2-1! In the meantime, Messi was ready to enter and came on in the 60th, to replace Martinez. The hydration break followed in the 67th, with Argentina still at 73% and 8-5 on shots.

Of course, everyone was waiting for Messi to explode and he did in the 80th on a free kick from on top of the box, where he curled it around the wall and into the goal for a 3-1 lead and increases his World Cup scoring lead to six goals in this tournament. He’s now scored in seven straight World Cup matches, a first for any player.

It ended 3-1, with Argentina up 12-5 on shots and enjoying 73% of possession.

● Group J: Algeria 3, Austria 3 ● Both teams were 1-0-1 and looking to advance in this match in Kansas City, but neither could get a goal before the hydro break, with Algeria at 53% possession and one shot each.

Just after the re-start, Austrian defender David Alaba sends a long ball ahead and forward Marko Arnautovic did the rest, dribbling in and getting the ball past Algerian keeper Oussama Benbot in the 28th for a 1-0 lead. But the Algerians got even in the 45th, as defender Rafik Belghali picked up the ball after it caromed off the corner flag (and two others were tackling each other), then flashed past two defenders and scored a ripping goal on a liner from the top of the box on the right side, to go 1-1. The half ended that way, with Algeria at 57% of the ball and 7-5 on shots.

Algeria maintained possession to start the second half, but in the 55th, midfielder Konrad Laimer sent a ball in from the right side and midfielder Marcel Sabitzer had space and drilled it for the 2-1 lead.

But the Algerians were unimpressed and five minutes later midfielder Houssem Aouar sent a pass across the Austrian goal and was scored by forward Riyad Mahrez for the 2-2 tie. The hydro break followed with Algeria maintaining 57% of the ball and up by 11-8 on shots.

The pace of the game slowed and it looked like a tie in the making, but at 90+3, Algeria’s Mahrez scored again from Aouar, who sent a ball into the box from right to left to set him up.

But, incredibly, this wasn’t over. With literally seconds to play, a header by forward Michael Gregoritsch from the endline came back to the front of goal, where it was headed in by striker Sasa Kalajdzic at 90+6! The game ended moments later and with the tie, both teams advanced.

Algeria had 65% of possession during the game, but just a 12-10 edge on shots. In the end, both teams won, somehow.

● Group J ● Argentina beat Jordan, but gave up its first goal. They’re on as the group winner at 3-0. The unbelievable tie between Austria and Algeria gave both four points (1-1-1) and sent both on to the round-of-32. The loser was Iran, which had three points, but with a goal differential of zero, lost out on the eighth and final third-place spot to Senegal, which had three points but was +2.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

The elimination round-of-32 will start on Sunday (28th) in Inglewood, California, between South Africa and Canada, at noon local time. For Monday and Tuesday:

Monday, 29 June 2026:
● Brazil vs. Japan ● In Houston (1 p.m. Eastern)
● Germany vs. Paraguay ● In Foxborough (4:30 p.m. Eastern)
● Netherlands vs. Morocco ● In Monterrey (9 p.m. Eastern)

Tuesday, 30 June 2026:
● Ivory Coast vs. Norway ● In Arlington (1 p.m. Eastern)
● France vs. Sweden ● In East Rutherford (5 p.m. Eastern)
● Mexico vs. Ecuador ● In Mexico City (9 p.m. Eastern)

Ticket sales are in for the official Los Angeles Fan Festival from 11-14 June – the first four days of the tournament – at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with 85,023:

● 11 June: 27,343 (Monday)
● 12 June: 20,866 (Tuesday)
● 13 June: 23,722 (Wednesday)
● 14 June: 13,092 (Thursday)

Coliseum spokeswoman Andrea Ambriz noted these are ticket holders only and do not include staff or visitors to the greater Exposition Park area, or the watch party at the adjacent BMO Stadium. Also, “that max attendance was closer to 40K on Monday since people stayed for the all-day festivities.”

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LOS ANGELES 2028: City of L.A. added-services contract draft says LA28 to use funds to reimburse L.A. before declaring a surplus

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ L.A. CITY SERVICES CONTRACT ≡

An agreement between the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic organizing committee and the City of Los Angeles to define how the City will be reimbursed for services it provides for the Games that are above-and-beyond “normal levels” was due in October 2025.

On Friday, nearly nine months later, a draft of the “Enhanced City Resources Master Agreement” was transmitted to the City’s Ad Hoc Committee on the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The biggest issue identified by City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto in a March memorandum was that the LA28 position then was that it could declare a surplus from the Games even if the City had not recovered all of its added expenses.

On this point, the summary of the ECRMA draft noted:

“LA28 agrees to pay the City all outstanding amounts due pursuant to this ECRMA, the Host City Contract, the Games Agreement, and any other relevant agreement between the parties prior to disbursing any potential surplus funds to a legacy entity.”

An amendment to the 2021 Games Agreement will further allow the $270 million contingency fund established by LA28 to be used for unreimbursed security expenses.

Thus, the City obtained better protection, but does not have a commitment from LA28 to use any and all available funds to pay for all of the City’s Games-related expenses, such as security costs not paid by hoped-for Federal funding.

The 15-page Enhanced City Services Master Agreement lays out a framework under which more contracts will be created and signed. Per the summary of the agreement:

● “To support the successful delivery of the 2028 Games, the City will provide Enhanced City Resources (ECR) exceeding normal and customary levels, and LA28 will reimburse the City for resulting costs of these services.”

● “To ensure reimbursement of ECR, a process and timeline is established in the Games Agreement which includes developing the proposed ECRMA to identify, among various issues, City resources, processes, commitments, and payment timelines for the 2028 Games, and subsequently creating Venue Services Agreements (VSA) to identify the specific ECR at each identified LA28 venue.”

Fifteen City of Los Angeles sites – some with more than one venue – have been identified and others will be added, as Griffith Park for road cycling events is not yet on the list.

The City intends to get as much money ahead of time as possible, as the agreement notes:

“The City shall provide the OCOG [organizing committee] with an initial monthly cost estimate for Enhanced City Resources agreed upon in any forthcoming VSA by October 1, 2026, or 60 days following completion of any VSA. Final monthly cost estimates for such Enhanced City Resources shall be mutually agreed upon by the Parties by no later than October 31, 2027 (the ‘Estimated City Services Costs’).”

Monthly payments based on these estimates are to start on 1 February 2028, and a final statement by the City will be due on 1 December 2028. The agreement further explains:

“To the extent the OCOG requests in writing, through either its Chairperson or Chief Executive Officer, that the City further improve accessibility, beautification, streets, or other Games-related infrastructure above and beyond the City’s minimal legal requirements or which the City elects to pursue in its sole discretion, such agreed upon costs will be reimbursed by the OCOG pursuant to the terms and conditions of this ECRMA.”

The next step is for review at the City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

An area of interest to City Council members is a right to audit LA28’s finances, but no blanket authorization was included in the agreement as provided.

Council member Monica Rodriguez has been pushing for a financial audit of LA28 to be performed by a City contractor to be selected.

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FOOTBALL: Dembele’s hat trick sparks France’s dominant win; Spain wins its group and Cape Verde advances (!) at FIFA World Cup

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

● Group I: France 3, Norway 1 ● Both teams were 2-0 and through to the round-of-32 ahead of this match in humid (76%) Foxborough. Norway put in 10 new starters (no Erling Haaland), but France’s Kylian Mbappe was on the field.

And Mbappe sent a terrific lead pass to forward Ousmane Dembele from the left side of midfield to the right in the seventh minute. Dembele did the rest, switching feet and coming up to blast a right-footed shot into the far side of the net for the 1-0 lead.

Dembele did it again in the 20th, taking a pass from Mbappe on the right side, dribbling to the left, taking a moment and then sending a laser with the left foot into the net for 2-0.

The Norwegians were unimpressed and on the following possession, saw midfielder Thelo Aasgaard take the pass from forward Andreas Schjelderup at the left side of the box, take a dribble towards the middle and then rifle a right-footed shot back to the short side of the French net to close to 2-1 in the 21st!

The hydro break came next, with 70% French possession and an 11-4 shots lead, but in a fight for sure. Dembele struck again in the 32nd, as he got the box at the right side of the box, dibbled in and sent a left-footed strike to the far post for a 3-1 lead. Wow.

(Fox’s Ian Darke noted that the last first-half hat trick in the World Cup was in 1994.)

The half ended 3-1, with the French at 62% of the ball and 14-4 on shots, an accurate representation of the half. Norway had a chance for a quick goal as a penalty was called on defender Theo Hernandez was called for a penalty against Norway’s Oscar Bobb in the box in the 48th. But forward Jorgen Larsen took a poor penalty that was easily saved by French keeper Mike Maignan.

The French were at 59% possession and 16-7 on shots at the second hydro break, as the game wound down. But France got to 4-1 at 90+4 as substitute forward Desire Doue scored a header to the right side of goal on a cross from Bradley Barcola. The French left no doubt at 57% possession and 18-10 on shots. Both move on.

● Group I: Senegal 5, Iraq 0 ● Both teams came in with two losses for the game in Toronto, and it got crazy right away. Senegal defender Abdoulaye Seck appeared to head in a corner in the fourth, but the goal was given to midfielder Habib Diarra as the ball grazed him on the way in.

Iraq suffered a red card in the 13th as defender Rebin Sulaka brought down forward Sadio Mane on what was considered a scoring opportunity, confirmed by video review. At the hydro break, Iraq had 60% possession, but the Senegalese had a 6-2 shots edge, and expecting more goals.

Senegal took control, of course, with the man edge and was at 58% possession at the half and 10-4 on shots, but just the one goal.

The lead stretched out in the second half, with a goal from forward Ismaila Sarr in the 56th following an Iraq turnover and an assist from Lamine Camara, then substitute midfielder Pape Gueye scored in the 59th for a 3-0 lead. At the hydro break, Senegal now had 63% possession and 16-5 on shots.

They got to 4-0 in the 71st as Gueye got his second on a left-footed strike from the top of the box that flew into the top left side of the Iraq net. Senegal was relentless, looking for goals which might give them a spot on the last 32 based on goal differential. It was 5-0 on a Iliman Ndiaye edge-of-the-box strike for a goal in the 82nd, with an assist to Gueye.

It finished with 69% possession for Senegal and 28-6 on shots in a total mismatch.

● Group I ● France dominated the group at 3-0 and went through easily, with Norway at six points at 2-1. Senegal (1-2) earned three points and will have to see if their goal differential (+2 now) is enough to advance.

● Group H: Spain 1, Uruguay 0 ● The Spanish (1-0-1) were favored in Guadalajara, but Uruguay (0-0-2) needed points to advance. The start was cautious, with Uruguay careful to limit Spanish passing in their zone. Spain had 77% possession at the hydration break, and the only two shots in the game.

The Spanish kept probing and got a break in the 42nd, as midfielder Marcos Llorente got hold of a loose ball on the right side and sent a cross to the middle of the box to midfielder Alex Baena, who launched a right-footed shot, which ready to be stopped by Uruguay keeper Fernando Musiera, but got by him for a 1-0 lead.

Spain finished the half at 74% of the ball and 4-3 on shots in a game they led, but were not totally in control. The second half had Uruguay more aggressive – they needed a goal – but were unable to manufacture chances. But the defense was enough to deny Spain by the hydro break, despite 71% possession so far and 5-4 on shots (yep, two shots in the half so far).

Uruguay kept looking for an opening and found none; Spanish sub forward Ferran Torres had a chance to ice it in the 86th, but an open shot in the middle of the box ricocheted off the crossbar. An Uruguay scramble in the box in the 90th ended with an Uruguayan foul.

Uruguyan frustration boiled over at 90+4 with a studs-up tackle by forward Augustin Canobbio and a red card, with tempers flaring among multiple players. And it ended at 1-0 and in turmoil, with Spain at 67% possession and 6-5 shots. One of the worst games of this tournament.

● Group H: Cape Verde 0 Saudi Arabia 0 ● The amazing Cape Verde, with two draws, was looking to advance (!) with a win against the Saudis (0-1-1) in Houston, but the match began with defense at the core. No score at the first break, with even possession and the Saudis making the only shot of the first 25 minutes.

Cape Verde was more aggressive after the break, and finished with 53% of the ball and four shots to three in the half. The second half was more aggressive for Cape Verde, but still no score at the second hydro break, with 55% of the ball and 8-4 on shots.

It ended 0-0 and Cape Verde is on to the elimination round. They had 51% possession and 15-7 on shots, Astounding.

● Group H ● Spain won the group at 2-0-1 and five points, but was hardly the juggernaut expected. Cape Verde, the smallest country to ever compete in the World Cup and playing in the tournament for the first time, played to 0-0, 2-2 and 0-0 draws and goes through, to meet defending champion Argentina. Miracle in the making?

Uruguay (0-1-2) and Saudi Arabia (0-1-2) both had high hopes that did not pan out, and there will be repercussions for both at home.

● Group G: Belgium 5, New Zealand 1 ● The Belgians (0-0-2) were on the attack immediately in Vancouver, but did not manage an early goal despite many minutes in front of the New Zealand goal. In the 20th, a possible penalty for a hand ball on New Zealand defender Finn Surman in the box was called off after a video review.

At the hydro break, Belgium held 74% possession and was 7-0 on shots, but no goals. In the 28th, a corner from star Kevin De Bruyne fell right in front of goal, where it bounced and hit New Zealand defender Tim Payne and kicked in by striker Leandro Trossard for the 1-0 lead.

The Kiwis got some time on offense as the half ebbed, but Belgium broke out multiple times, leading to misfires from striker Jeremy Doku and De Bruyne. Fellow forward Charles de Ketelaere was denied on a left-side blast in the 43rd by New Zealand keeper Max Crocombe.

But the half ended 1-0, even with 61% possession by the Belgians and 16 shots to one!

The Red Devils were on the march to start the second half and after a cross into the box by midfielder Hans Vanaken, Trossard shot again and it was blocked, but it bounced back to him and he didn’t miss in the 50th for a 2-0 lead.

De Bruyne got a brilliant goal in the 66th, taking a pass from the middle of the field to the left side, setting himself up and sending a left-footed laser to the far side of the net for the 3-0 lead. The break came soon after, with Belgium at 58% possession and 26-3 on shots.

The Kiwis got a much-deserved goal in the 84th, on a rebound in in the box that was slammed home by forward Elijah Just, to cut the lead to 3-1. Belgium substituted in star striker Romelu Lukaku and he scored almost immediately – 56 seconds later – as a cross from right to left by midfielder Nicolas Raskin found him at the back end of the Kiwi goal for a header to go to 4-1.

The Red Devils finished with a flurry as Lukaku pushed the ball to the right at the top of the box to Alexis Salemaekers at 90+4 and he crushed a shot that rushed into the net for the 5-1 final. Belgium finished with 55% possession, but an overpowering 35-6 shots advantage.

● Group G: Egypt 1, Iran 1 ● Both offenses were in gear early in Seattle, as group leader Egypt (1-0-1) scored in the fifth minute on midfielder Mahmoud Saber kicked in a rebound off a saved shot from star striker Mo Salah for the 1-0 lead.

But the Iranians (0-0-2) came right back with a penalty in the 11th, with striker Mehdi Taremi fouled on the box. But he took the penalty and it was saved in the right corner by Egypt’s keeper, Mostafa Shoubir. But the pressure continued and a shot by defender Milad Mohammadi was saved, but the rebound was available to defender Ramin Rezaeian, who scored from short range at a difficult angle to tie it in the 14th!

Both sides made forays, with Egypt controlling 62% of possession in the half and eight shots to six. The second half started with chances for both, but Egypt maintained 65% possession to the hydro break and had 12 shots to eight, but with the game still at 1-1.

The game continued on the way to a tie, but got crazy in stoppage time. At 90+4, an Iranian goal on a rebound by defender Shoja Khalilzadeh looked like the winner, but it was waved off for offsides.

Another Iranian rush into the box had a powerful header from midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi that hit the crossbar at 90+7, and it ended 1-1. Egypt had 61% possession and a 15-12 shots edge, but they barely survived.

● Group G ● The whole group was in chaos until the very end, but Belgium’s big win gave them a 1-0-2 record and five points and +4 on goal differential. That was enough to win the group as Egypt also had five points but +2 goal differential and was second.

Iran ends with three draws (3 points) and a zero goal differential and will have to wait to see if they qualify as a third-place team.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

On Saturday, 27 June, group play will finish:

● Group L: Panama vs. England, in East Rutherford (5 p.m. Eastern)
● Group L: Croatia vs. Ghana, in Philadelphia (5 p.m. Eastern)

● Group K: Colombia vs. Portugal, in Miami Gardens (7:30 p.m. Eastern)
● Group K: DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan, in Atlanta (7:30 p.m. Eastern)

● Group J: Algeria vs. Austria, in Kansas City (10 p.m. Eastern)
● Group J: Jordan vs. Argentina, in Arlington (10 p.m. Eastern)

The elimination round-of-32 will start on Sunday (28th) in Inglewood, California, between South Africa and Canada, at noon local time.

Andrew Giuliani, the Executive Director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, says the U.S. should consider a bid to host the event again in 2038, the first available edition. The BBC reported Giuliani’s comments, that included:

“When you think that this World Cup may at some point expand out to 64 teams, I think the United States can handle it. Let me make sure we get through this World Cup on 19 July before we make our pitch for 2038 or other ones.

“There’s no better country that’s positioned to host a World Cup than the United States, and I think we’re seeing that on social media.

“I think we’re seeing that with all the fans that may be interacting with the U.S. for the first time, or the first time in a long time, that the U.S. truly is extremely welcoming, that we have such an incredible infrastructure.

“We have the stadiums built, so for the U.S., compared to other host nations, where it costs tens and tens of billions of dollars, you know, it cost us a couple of billion.”

The 2030 and 2034 World Cups have already been assigned. Any bid for a future World Cup must come from the U.S. Soccer Federation, which is already preparing for a formal acceptance of its bid to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

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FOOTBALL: Ecuador stuns Germany in Group E, Dutch speed through Group F, U.S. loses to Turkey in FIFA World Cup

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get the daily Sports Examiner Recap by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

The second day of group-stage final games started with an upset of Germany by Ecuador, and a taut match between Japan and Sweden, while the Netherlands was running past Tunisia to win Group F. The U.S. plays later.

● Group E: Ecuador 2, Germany 1 ● Ecuador (0-1-1 W-L-T) needed a win in this game against 2-0 Germany in East Rutherford, and it went wrong right away, as Germany got a goal in the second minute from striker Leroy Sane, with a left-footed boot off of a loose ball in the middle of the box, despite what looked like a foul by midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic in the box in kicking the ball over a defender. Midfielder Florian Wirtz forwarded the ball to Sane.

But Ecuador was undaunted and a fabulous strike from midfielder Nilson Angulo at the top of the box in the 9th minute got them even, with their first goal of the tournament. Ecuador continued pressing, but the Germans had 55% of the ball at the hydration break and a 4-1 edge on shots.

The Germans maintained control and were up to 62% possession at half and up 7-2 on shots as Ecuador played a more defense-oriented style through halftime.

In the 46th, Ecuador was called for a penalty on defender Joel Ordonez in the box, but it was wiped off after a video review that showed a foul by Sane on midfielder Pedro Vite in the build-up. Germany had 59% possession at the second hydro break and was 8-4 on shots, but Ecuador kept finding chances.

German keeper Manuel Neuer had to punch away a dangerous strike from forward Enner Valencia in the 62nd and runs into the box kept misfiring. But off a corner in the 77th, forward Kevin Rodriguez headed the ball backwards in the front of goal and forward Gonzalo Plata flicked his left foot at it and popped it over Neuer’s head for a 2-1 lead!

Ecuador then settled into a defensive posture they know so well and ran out the clock for the win and will advance to the elimination round. The Germans ended with 61% and 11 shots to seven, but it was not enough.

● Group E: Ivory Coast 1, Curacao 0 ● Playing in Philadelphia, Ivory Coast (1-0-1) took charge quickly vs. Curacao (0-1-1) with a goal from striker Nicolas Pepe in the box in the 7th, on forward Yan Diomande’s cross back from the endline after dispossessing the defender.

The Elephants, as Ivory Coast are known, controlled the game up to the hydro break, with 75% possession and a 4-2 shots edge. The Elephants kept control, with 70% of possession by halftime, but Curacao got a couple more shots, with both at four at halftime.

The Ivory Coast pressure continued and resulted in a second goal, with Pepe scoring in the 64th off a seeing-eye pass from midfielder Ibrahim Sangare. At the hydro break, the Elephants had 65% possession, but shots were 6-6.

The rest of the game played out with Ivory Coast in control and ending with 63% of the ball and taking just seven shots all together, vs. 11 for Curacao.

● Group E ● Germany (2-1) had won the group coming in and moves on as expected. Ivory Coast was also 2-1 and finished second after losing, 2-1, to the Germans. Ecuador, with its surprise finish, was 1-1-1 and with four points, should move on as a third-place team.

● Group F: Japan 1, Sweden 1 ● At AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Japan (1-0-1) and Sweden (1-1) were not sure of advancing, especially with the Netherlands expected to have little trouble with Tunisia.

Japan had the best of possession until the hydro break and 55% possession, but just two shots to one for Sweden. There was a lot of close defending, and the best runs were from Japan, and a noteworthy shot in the box by striker Keito Nakamura to the far corner in the 45th that had to be saved by Swedish keeper Jacob Zetterstrom. The half ended 0-0, with Japan at 55% possession and 4-2 on shots.

Japan had all the pressure in the second half, and finally got a goal in the 56th, on a perfect lead pass from midfielder Ritsu Doan beyond the box and down the middle to a streaking striker Daizen Maeda. Maeda ran onto the ball in stride and finished with authority for the 1-0 lead.

The Swedes, pressing on offense now, saw striker Anthony Elanga with the ball on the right side at the top right corner of the box, and he sent a rocket to the far side of the Japan goal for the 1-1 tie in the 62nd. Wow.

The hydro break came with Japan possession down to 53% and a 7-5 shots advantage. Sweden had the ball for most of the final “period” and Japan keeper Zion Suzuki had to make two saves to maintain the tie. He punched away a right-to-left shot by Elanga at 90+2 and then off of a corner at 90+3, a header by forward Alexander Isak was rejected with lightning reflexes.

It ended 1-1 with Japan at 52% of the ball and Sweden had 10 shots to eight.

● Group F: Netherlands 3, Tunisia 1 ● In Kansas City, the Dutch came in 1-0-1 and Tunisia had been eliminated at 0-2 already, and the Netherlands was on offense immediately, scoring in the third minute on an own goal by Tunisia’s Ellyes Skhiri! Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries sent a cross from the right side into the box, mis-hit into the goal.

It was 2-0 in the seventh minute as striker Brian Brobbey got his third goal of the tournament off a header from defender Virgil van Dijk from left to right across the goal off of a free kick, with Brobbey making an easy, right-footed finish. The Dutch had 66% possession at the hydro break, but the shots were 3-3.

The game slowed and the score remained the same at half; the Dutch had 70% possession and a 12-4 edge on shots. But Tunisia fired up in the second half and got a header from striker Hazem Mastouri in the 54th to close to 2-1. Midfielder Hannibal Mejbri sent a cross into the box and Mastouri was ready with the header to surprise the Dutch.

However, it was 3-1 quickly, as midfielder Tijjani Reijnders sent a left-side corner kick into the box and defender Jan Paul van Hecke headed it in off of midfielder Anis Slimane and into the goal in the 62nd.

The Dutch continued with 73% of the ball and a commanding 17-6 shots edge, and in control of the game. It finished at 3-1 with 72% possession for Netherlands and a 20-10 shots edge, to clinch the group.

● Group F ● The Dutch finished 2-0-1, and won the group with 10 goals (to four); they are off to play Morocco in the Round of 32. Japan finished second at 1-0-2 and five points with Sweden third (1-1-1: 4) and should go through as a third-place team. All three will be tough to deal with.

● Group D: Turkey 3, United States 2 ● The U.S. (2-0) changed nine starters and was on offense from the opening, pressuring the Turks (0-2) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, with multiple shots in the first two minutes, and then a corner. The service from midfielder Sebastian Berhalter arced to the far side of the goal where defender Auston Trusty brought it down and then slammed it to the far side of the Turkish goal for a 1-0 lead after 2:15!

But the Turks turned it around quickly in the 10th, with a run down the right side and a cross by striker Baris Alper Yilmaz into the middle for midfielder Arda Guler, who sent a hard shot to the far corner and past U.S. keeper Matt Turner, to level at 1-1. Both teams moved the ball well, with the U.S. at 60% possession at the hydro break and with a 5-1 edge on shots.

Off another corner in the 29th, U.S. defender Mark McKenzie scored on a rebound, but was offsides. On the ensuing play, the Turks sped down the field and Guler passed into the box on the left side to defender Eren Elmali. His left-to-right pass found on-time midfielder Orkun Kokcu, who scored to the right side of the net in the 31st for a 2-1 lead.

The teams traded possessions and Trusty got a header on a corner at 45+3 that was dangerous, but over the crossbar. The half ended with no more scores and the U.S. down despite 58% possession and 8-4 on shots.

The second half started with the U.S. looking for offense. Off a long throw into the box in the 49th, the ball was kicked out to the top of the box by Turkish defender Abdulkerem Bardakci, where Berhalter ran up for a low liner that found the net for a 2-2 just 3:06 into the half.

U.S. star midfielder Christian Pulisic came in in the 58th and the American offense came alive, with multiple shots on goal. The U.S. was maintaining possession at 59% and were up to 15-5 on shots, but still tied.

Pulisic barely missed wide a long try from the right side in the 77th and the game went back and forth, with a lot of slipping on the turf. In the 90+8, Turkey got an opportunity and made the most of it, with a shot by midfielder Can Uzun from the left side that was deflected, popped out in front and defender Kaan Ayhan booted it in for the winner, 3-2.

The U.S. was down to 53% possession at the end and was up 18-9 on shots, but still lost.

● Group D: Paraguay 0, Australia 0 ● Both teams came in 1-1 for this match in Santa Clara, with both looking for at least a draw to advance. This was a defensive match from the start, with Australia at 62% possession and the only two shots in the game to the first break.

There was no score at the half, with 63% possession for the Aussies and 6-1 on shots. Offense was limited. The second half was busier, but still no score by the hydro break, with Australian possession inching down to 61% but still up 9-4 on shots.

The game ended 0-0, which benefits both teams. Australia maintained 56% possession and was up, 12-7, on shots.

● Group D ● The U.S. (2-1) came in already the group winner and will face Bosnia & Herzegovina in the elimination stage on Wednesday. With the tie vs. Paraguay, Australia (1-1-1) finishes second in the group and moves on and Paraguay (1-1-1) also looks promising to be a third-place team that advances. 

≡ PANORAMA ≡

The schedule for Friday, 26 June will complete three more groups:

● Group I: Norway vs. France, in Foxborough (3 p.m. Eastern)
● Group I: Senegal vs. Iraq, in Toronto (3 p.m. Eastern)

● Group H: Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, in Houston (8 p.m. Eastern)
● Group H: Uruguay vs. Spain, in Guadalajara (8 p.m. Eastern)

● Group G: Egypt vs. Iran, in Seattle (11 p.m. Eastern)
● Group G: New Zealand vs. Belgium, Vancouver (11 p.m. Eastern)

On Saturday, 27 June, group play will finish:

● Group L: Panama vs. England, in East Rutherford (5 p.m. Eastern)
● Group L: Croatia vs. Ghana, in Philadelphia (5 p.m. Eastern)

● Group K: Colombia vs. Portugal, in Miami Gardens (7:30 p.m. Eastern)
● Group K: DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan, in Atlanta (7:30 p.m. Eastern)

● Group J: Algeria vs. Austria, in Kansas City (10 p.m. Eastern)
● Group J: Jordan vs. Argentina, in Arlington (10 p.m. Eastern)

The elimination round-of-32 will start on Sunday (28th) in Inglewood, California, between South Africa and Canada, at noon local time.

It was announced during the Germany-Ecuador game that total attendance at the 2026 World Cup has reached a record 3,605,357 in the 56th match, finally surpassing the 1994 World Cup total of 3,587,538, in 52 matches.

Both, of course, were held in the U.S., with some matches in Canada and Mexico this year.

What is the impact of this? FIFA will want to find any way it can to hold its major tournaments in the U.S. Period.

Reiterating a complaint originally lodged months ago, the Iranian Football Federation has asked FIFA to try and cancel pro-LGBTQ activities at Lumen Field as the event had been locally designated a “Pride Match” in Seattle for many months ahead of time. The Iranian federation statement noted:

“Iran and Egypt are two Muslim countries with deep cultural and religious commonalities, and the views expressed by both federations reflect the values and beliefs shared by the peoples of both countries. Our position is that no ceremonies or promotional activities related to this movement should be held in the stadium before or during matches.”

FIFA rejected the request and said in a statement:

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is an inclusive event that welcomes people from all backgrounds. Fans of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome at matches and events.

“General statements of human rights, including rainbow flags and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity, are permitted under the FIFA World Cup 2026 Stadium Code of Conduct and may be displayed inside stadiums.”

Canada’s CTV reported that the Canadian government processed almost 17,000 visa applications related to the World Cup from 160 countries and territories, but approved only 41% of them.

Applications for “Temporary Resident Visas” were approved at a 32% rate, while 96% of “Electronic Travel Authorizations” from allowed countries between 14 November 2025 and 31 March 2026 were approved.

Multiple reports have surfaced concerning delivery of tickets – or the lack thereof – by StubHub as a reseller of World Cup tickets that have not been delivered to buyers.

A CBC story noted, “Stubhub has acknowledged it is having issues, which it blames on FIFA’s ticketing technology and an app FIFA introduced a month ago, which restricts the use and transfer of tickets” with StubHub spokesperson Jack Sterne explaining:

“Even with these limitations, we’ve taken steps to improve reliability and support fans. Every order on StubHub is also backed by our FanProtect Guarantee, which provides alternative tickets or a full refund.”

A Yahoo! Sports story about ticketing issues with a StubHub statement explaining that “issues fans are experiencing are tied to performance problems with the event organizer’s ticketing infrastructure, which it said has caused transfer failures across resale platforms.” StubHub added:

“Every StubHub order is backed by our FanProtect Guarantee, so when ticket transfer is interrupted, we work to find a comparable replacement ticket or issue a full refund. Getting fans to their matches is always the priority, and our teams are working through every case with that goal.”

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PANORAMA: Atlanta tug-of-war over ‘96 cauldron; Ski Mountaineering in for 2030 Games; Romanian mayor bans Russian flag at gymnastics World Cup

By
Rich Perelman
-
The Olympic participation medal from Atlanta 1996 (Photo: Crawford Family U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Archives, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee)

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Olympic Games 1984: Los Angeles ● Sad news of the passing of another member of the organizing team from 1984, as Bob Liljenwall, who served as the Venue Press Chief for both archery and modern pentathlon, passed away at age 88 on 11 June.

Liljenwall had a long and distinguished career in marketing and communications, including stints at Disneyland, the RMS Queen Mary and Spruce Goose in Long Beach and was a long-time faculty member at UCLA Extension in marketing and brand management.

● Olympic Games 1996: Atlanta ● The Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta were memorable for great athletic performances and a troubled organizing effort. The trouble is continuing, with the 30-year anniversary of the Games coming up on 19 July.

On 11 June, Georgia State University announced that the top portion – the cauldron – of the 120-foot-tall Olympic Flame tower would be moved to Centennial Olympic Park.

(TSX reader Dan Bell explains that the original tower was moved in 1997 from its Games location about a block north of Centennial Olympic Stadium, which became Turner Field. The venue was reconfigured in 2017 after the MLB Braves left, as Center Parc Stadium for the Georgia State football team as part of a mixed-use district.)

The Olympic Flame tower has been stationary since 1997, but the announcement to remove the cauldron has stirred up animosity in the Summerhill neighborhood in which the stadium was built. While the tower itself and the Olympic Rings bridge will remain, there is now opposition to the move of the cauldron. Georgia State Rep. Phil Olaleye, whose district includes Summerhill, said during a legislative session:

“[A] small group of private interests is seeking to move that torch to Centennial Olympic Park because they believe it will receive greater visibility and investment there. Think about what that says. It says the neighborhood that hosted the world is not prominent enough, is not good enough to carry its own legacy.”

The Atlanta City Council passed a resolution opposing the move of the cauldron; the issue has been framed as a state-level decision, rather than local.

● Olympic Winter Games 2030: French Alps ● The 146th IOC Session approved the inclusion of Ski Mountaineering as a sport for the 2030 Winter Games:

“The intention for Alpes 2030 is to feature five ski mountaineering events across two disciplines, with a quota of 72 athletes. The proposed programme includes women’s and men’s individual race events, alongside the women’s, men’s and mixed relay sprint events that featured at Milano Cortina 2026.”

Ski Mountaineering was introduced at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, and with France a leading medal-winner of the ISMF World Cup circuit, adding it for 2030 made sense for the organizing committee.

● Sports Safeguarding ● A closely-watched lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in which youth volleyball coaches Rick Butler and Cheryl Butler and their GLV volleyball business alleged “Defendants Deborah DiMatteo, Nancy Hogshead-Makar, and Champion Women weaponized decades-old sexual assault allegations against Rick to ruin Plaintiffs’ volleyball business” was thrown out on 17 June by Magistrate Judge Young B. Kim for failure to state a claim.

The suit asked for $250 million in damages for actions taken by DiMatteo and Hogshead-Makar in publicizing inquires into sexual advances and contact by Rick Butler with minor girls with whom he was working with related to his volleyball coaching business. Butler had been sanctioned by USA Volleyball in 1995, and banned in 2018 and was banned by the Amateur Athletic Union in 2018.

The Butlers filed suit against DiMatteo and Hogshead-Makar (a triple gold medalist in swimming at the 1984 Olympic Games) in 2021, complaining about the efforts that both had made in publicizing Butler’s conduct and urging parents, teams, sponsors and others not to work with them.

DiMatteo and Hogshead-Makar moved for summary judgement to essentially kill the complaint for lack of a case. Judge Kim reviewed the allegations and concluded that taking all evidence into account, the case provided by the Butlers shows no “specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.”

So, “[u]ltimately, summary judgment is warranted only if a reasonable jury could not return a verdict for the nonmovant [Butlers] … Viewing the record under this standard, the court finds that Defendants are entitled to summary judgment.”

A post-opinion statement by Hogshead-Makar’s Champion Women group noted:

“The court found that Nancy Hogshead, Champion Women, and Deb DiMatteo were exercising their constitutionally-protected First Amendment rights to speak about a matter of public concern and controversy: namely, the risk of harm that Rick Butler posed to young athletes. … The court held that Deb DiMatteo was largely sharing her opinions, which constitute protected First Amendment speech. Ultimately, the court determined that Defendants’ speech-based protections trumped any alleged harm felt by Rick and Cheryl Butler.”

● Athletics ● The Athletics Integrity Unit lowered the boom on former half-marathon world-record holder Kibiwott Kandie (KEN: 30), who “has been banned for seven years by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after admitting to two Anti-Doping Rule Violations, a refusal to submit to sample collection and tampering with the doping control process.”

The ban runs from 14 March 2025 until 13 March 2032; he refused a test on 1 March 2025 and then submitted faked communications that would have excused him. He last race was on 30 August 2025, a cross-country event in which he did not finish.

● Gymnastics ● Emil Boc, the mayor of the Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca, which is hosting a World Gymnastics Rhythmic World Challenge Cup this weekend, has stated he intends “to prevent Russian athletes from participating in the Rhythmic Gymnastics Challenge Cup wearing national symbols.”

A report by the Russian news agency TASS stated that the Russian and Belarusian flags in the BT Arena have been replaced with single-color “neutral” flags. World Gymnastics has reinstated Russian and Belarusian athletes in May.

World Gymnastics told TASS, “We are currently in discussions with the relevant parties to find an appropriate way forward.”

● Wrestling ● Zahid Valencia, the men’s 2025 World Champion at 86 kg, was named the John Smith Award winner by USA Wrestling as the federation’s men’s Freestyle Athlete of the Year.

Valencia went 24-0 in 2025 and won his first UWW Worlds gold. He outscored his opponents by 224-21 and won 16 of his 24 matches without giving up a point!

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MILAN CORTINA 2026: IOC audience research says 2.6 billion “followed” the 2026 Winter Games; people still prefer big screens to phones

By
Rich Perelman
-
Interesting Milan Cortina viewing statistics (Image: IOC audience report).

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≡ AUDIENCE REPORT ≡

The International Olympic Committee trumpeted the success and reach of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games during the final day of the 146th IOC Session in Lausanne on Thursday, stating in a research report that “~2.6 billion people followed the Olympic Winter Games Milan Cortina 2026.”

No breakdown of this figure was provided, or how it was arrived at, other than to note that the research was carried out in 15 countries, primarily by Publicis Sport & Entertainment. There were 92 National Olympic Committees attending the Games. (A request for explanation was made to the IOC; this post will be updated with any new information in a reply.)

The IOC’s Beijing 2022 audience report specified that there were 2.01 billion unique viewers on linear television and digital channels of its rights-holders. Was Milan Cortina a 30% increase on this? The IOC’s presentation does not say.

The lack of a breakdown follows others. Repeated requests to NBC about the total number of Americans who saw the Winter Games have never been answered; NBC promotes a 223 million combined audience figure for “Legendary February” which includes 125 million for the NFL Super Bowl.

The data in the IOC report which was provided is interesting in how viewers in the 15 targeted territories for research (also not named) broke down between broadcast and cable and digital channels:

● 60% watched on both broadcast-cable and digital
● 23% watched on broadcast-cable only
● 17% watched on digital only

The digital-only figure is up from 11% from Beijing 2022, but the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic also has to be considered.

In terms of how the Games were watched, big screens still have the advantage as 90% of the hours seen were on broadcast-cable and only 10% on digital. Average hours watched per viewer were up to 6.9, vs. 6.1 for Beijing 2022 and – more importantly – 5.6 for PyeongChang 2018.

Polling in Italy indicated good support for the Games, at least in February when the event was held, with 84% saying the Games were “a success” and 74% saying that they expect the Games to leave “a positive legacy.”

The IOC noted a total attendance figure of 5.4 million, with 1.3 million tickets sold, 3.5 million estimated to see the torch relay and another 600,000 attending the “fan villages.”

Polling of athletes on their motivation for the Games was interesting as 92% saying competing in a major multi-sport event was important and 90% saying that representing their country was important. These findings are about the same as those for Beijing 2022.

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PANORAMA: Lawsuits already on NCAA 5-year play plan; open-water quality upset at Portugal World Cup; eight IIHF Presidential candidates!

By
Rich Perelman
-

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● NCAA ● As expected, on the day after the NCAA Division I Cabinet approved the five-year eligibility plan, lawsuits were filed in Ohio state court by 15 basketball players asking for a fifth year of eligibility, not allowed under the new rule.

More suits are expected in other states. The rule itself is not being challenged in the suit, but the application.

● Athletics ● World Athletics said that Last Rep Coffee, founded by British stars Jake Wightman and Zak Seddon, are the “official coffee suppliers” for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest in September. Per the announcement:

“Last Rep will source their coffee beans for the Ultimate through KTRL, a Hungarian coffee roastery, simultaneously supporting a local company while optimising logistics.”

● Ice Hockey ● The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) circulated its confirmed list of candidates for office at the 2 October 2026 IIHF Congress in Spain. There are eight Presidential hopefuls to replace Luc Tardif (FRA), four of whom are current IIHF Council members (*):

Henrik Bach Nielsen* (DEN), Petr Briza* (CZE), Sergey Goncharov (BLR), Frank Gonzalez (ESP), Zakaria Knechuashvili (GEO), Aivaz Omorkanov* (KGZ), Matjaz Rakovec (SLO) and Franz Reindl* (GER).

The only American candidate is Mike Trimboli, a candidate to be a Regional Vice President.

● Swimming ● Complaints about open-water World Cup water quality at last week’s races in Setubal (POR) – a regular World Cup host – with Italian Ginerva Tadeucci, a six-time Worlds medal winner, writing on Instagram: “A whole night vomiting, lying on the floor!”

Teammate Gregorio Paltrinieri, the 10-time Worlds open-water medalist, added on his page: “The quality of the water is a problem, the temperature of the water is a problem, and nothing really ever changes.” He added: “More than 10 athletes sick, some in the hospital.”

World Aquatics officials require specific tests for bacteria at all World Cup stops and have temperature standards for whether races can be held.

● Volleyball ● The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) is running an Instagram contest in advance of the 7 July “World Volleyball Day” by giving away “a seven-day trip to an FIVB event, with the choice between: the 2026 Women’s Volleyball Nations League Finals in Macau, China, the 2026 Men’s Volleyball Nations League Finals in Ningbo, China, or another 2026 FIVB Volleyball or Beach Volleyball event of their choice.”

There are multiple entry conditions, including sharing a post and using #WorldVolleyballDay, following three FIVB handles and some more requirements. The drawing of the winner will be made at random on 8 July 2026 at noon Central European Time.

● Wrestling ● USA Wrestling named Olympic and World Champion Helen Maroulis as its 2025 women’s Wrestler of the Year. She won the UWW World Championship at 57 kg and became the third American woman to win at least four Worlds golds.

She won previously in 2016 after taking the Olympic title in Rio de Janeiro (BRA).

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FOOTBALL: Swiss win group over Canada; two for Vinicius Junior as Brazil beats Scotland and wins Group C at FIFA World Cup

By
Rich Perelman
-
The 2026 FIFA World Cup “Trionda” ball by adidas (Photo: adidas).

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

This was decision day on the first of four final days in the group stage, with positions in the knock-out round in play.

● Group B: Switzerland 2, Canada 1 ● Both teams had four points going in and a draw would advance both. In Vancouver, in humid conditions at B.C. Place, the Swiss had the best of play during the opening minutes, but there was no score at the hydration break. The Swiss had 71% possession and 3-1 on shots.

The game got chippy in the 30th, with a yellow card for Canadian striker Cyle Larin and Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka for unsportsmanlike play on a free kick. Canada was more on offense towards the end of the half, but it ended scoreless, with the Swiss at 70% of the ball, but Canada with five shots to four.

Fans weren’t back for the second half yet when the Swiss struck after 43 seconds, with a long cross from the right side by midfielder Johan Manzambi found midfielder Ruben Vargas in the middle of the box for a right-footed rocket and the 1-0 lead. Wow.

It got worse for the hosts in the 57th, as a long lead pass out of the back found striker Breel Embolo in the middle of the Canadian zone and he sent a cross to the oncoming Manzambi, who finished easily on the left side of the box for a 2-0 lead that quieted the pro-Canada crowd.

Canada was being aggressive and at the break, the Swiss were down to 57% possession and led on shots, 8-6. Substitute forward Promise David brought life back to Canada with a goal in the 76th. Midfielder Nathan Saliba brought down a long pass out of the back on the right side, then sent a perfect cross to the front of the net, which David hit with his extended right foot to volley the ball into the net.

Canada was all on offense now, with headers that missed, were saved and the last shot at keeper Gregor Kobel was a header from defender Alistair Johnston that was saved at 90+5. The Swiss were down to 55% possession at the end and Canada was 13-6 on shots, meaning 5-0 in the “fourth quarter.” It didn’t help.

● Group B: Bosnia & Herzegovina 3, Qatar 1 ● Both teams had one point and were playing with one to possibly advance, likely as a third-place team. In Seattle, the Bosnians were the aggressors, with 58% possession and 5-0 on shots to the hydro break.

And they pressed their advantage, scoring in the 29th on striker Kerim Alajbegovic, who eluded multiple defenders and with space, blasted a shot from the right corner of the box for a 1-0 lead!

The attacks continued and it was 2-0 in the 34th on what was called an own-goal by defender Sultan Al-Brake, after a cross to the far post for forward Edin Dzeko was volleyed to the front of the goal and caromed off of the defender and into the Qatar net.

Finally, Qatar got going. After not generating a shot in the first 38 minutes, forward Edmilson Junior received the ball at the back post and sent a cross to the front of goal for fellow striker Hassan Al-Haydos for the score and 2-1 in the 42nd. The half ended with Qatar suddenly in the game – defender Pedro Miguel hit the post at 45+3 – but with Bosnia at 59% possession and 9-4 on shots.

Qatar managed a couple of shots in the “third period,” – 9-6 at the break – but no more goals. The Bosnians moved to 3-1 in the 80th as midfielder Ermin Mahmic scored on a loose ball of a shot in the box by defender Stjepan Radeljic. It ended 3-1 with the Bosnians at 55% possession at 14-9 on shots.

● Group B ● The Swiss end up on top of the group at 7 points (2-0-1 W-L-T) and Canada second (4: 1-1-1). Bosnia & Herzegovina was also 1-1-1 (4), but third on goal differential (-1), but in position to advance as a third-place team.

● Group C: Brazil 3, Scotland 0 ● It was hot (88 F) and muggy (62%) in Miami Gardens for this match, with Brazil at 4 points and the Scots at 3.

The game changed shape almost immediately. A bad error for Scotland led to a third Vinicius Junior goal at the World Cup in the seventh minute, as defender Scott McKenna made a bad pass out of the back that was blocked by Brazilian forward Rayan. He forwarded it to Vini Junior, who touched it down to get by keeper Angus Gunn and kicked it into the goal for the 1-0 lead.

Another defensive error, this time by defender Jack Hendry, in the 22nd, saw Vinicius Junior steal the ball, then send a low shot behind Gunn for the 2-0 lead. But a video review showed a foul by the Brazilian star and the goal was wiped off. At the hydration break, Brazil had 52% possession, but 5-0 on shots.

Scotland tries to manufacture chances, but then the Brazilians struck again as Vinicius Junior saw midfielder Bruno Guimaraes come up with a loose ball at the top of the box on the right side. He ran for a header at the far post and had no trouble scoring at 45+3 for the 2-0 lead. The halftime break came quickly, and Brazil had 11 shots to four, although possessing only 52% of the time.

Brazil kept probing, and a long-lead pass led to an attack by Guimaraes in the 60th, running down the middle of the field in the box, and then laying it off to his right to the waiting forward Matheus Cunha, who right-footed it into the goal for 3-0.

Scotland got a good look in the 64th on an on-target header by midfielder Scott McTominay, but it was handed by Brail’s keeper Alisson. The break came in the 68th with Scotland at 51% possession, but the shots were 16-7 for Brazil.

The crowd roared for Brazil’s Neymar, returning from injury, in the 76th, replacing Cunha, but there were no more goals. Brazil ended at 54% and 21-14 on shots.

● Group C: Morocco 4, Haiti 2 ● Morocco entered with 4 points to 0 for Haiti, in this game in Atlanta, but Haiti upset the script by taking a 1-0 lead in the 10th on a goal by striker Lenny Joseph off a cross by defender Jean-Kevin Duverne from the right side. It was eventually called as an own goal for keeper Yassine Bounou.

Morocco had 70% possession into the hydro break, and a 4-2 shots edge, but was down. They got back into the game in the 39th as defender Achraf Hakimi knocked in a rebound on a save by Haitian keeper Johny Placide that came down right next to him on the goal line, to tie it at 1-1.

Undeterred, Haiti came back to lead 2-1 in the 43rd, as forward Wilson Isidor hit a tremendous strike from just outside the box in the middle of the field. But Morocco came back with pressure, and Hakimi sent a cut-back cross from the right side to the middle, to the oncoming midfielder Ismail Saibari for the equalizer at 45+2! The halftime showed Morocco still with 67% possession and 13-4 in shots, but tied.

Both sides were challenged on offense in the second half, with the break showing just one shot apiece in the “third period.” Morocco continued to own the ball at 71%. And they finally got ahead in the 78th, on a score by forward Soufiane Rahimi, off a flick-on from a corner to the box of the top by defender Chadi Riad.

A confused situation in the 89th led to an open-net goal, as the ball appeared to go past the endline and Haiti relaxed, but Rahimi continued and crossed to sub forward Gessime Yassine who left-footed it in for 4-2. It ended that way, with Morocco at 69% possession and 22-10 on shots.

● Group C ● Brazil won the group at 7 points (2-0-1) over Morocco (7: 2-0-1) on goal differential and Scotland (3: 1-2, -3 goal differential) hopes to be included as a third-place team.

● Group A: Mexico 3, Czech Republic 0 ● In Mexico City, Mexico (2-0) had a huge crowd roaring for them, but the Czechs (0-1-1) were more effective on offense and generated some early changes. But there were no goal by the hydro break, with the Czechs at 56% possession and 4-0 on shots.

Mexico maintained 54% possession in the half, but the Czechs were 6-5 on shots, with neither size really figuring out the other.

It only took a moment of brilliance to change this, and it happened in the 55th minute, as Mexican midfielder Mateo Chavez got the ball just inside Czech territory, dribbled past defenders and into the box, sending a perfect finish from the left side into the far side of the goal for a 1-0 lead.

Another rush in the 61st sealed it, as midfielder Gilberto Mora’s lead pass set up defender Jorge Sanchez to roll into the box, but his shot was saved by Czech keeper Matej Kovar. The ball came loose and was easily scored by forward Julian Quinones for the 2-0 lead.

The hydro break showed 52% possession for the Czechs and a 9-8 shots edge, but the game had gotten away from them. The Mexican fans went crazy for the replacement of keeper Raul Rangel with the iconic Memo Ochoa, coming in in the 78th to play in his sixth World Cup.

Mexico got a final goal at 90+4 on a rebound that came to Alvaro Fidalgo, who slammed it in after an original shot was blocked, and then forwarded by striker Roberto Alvarado. It ended with the Czechs at 52% possession and holding a 13-11 shots edge, both irrelevant as they were routed.

● Group A: South Africa 1, South Korea 0 ● In Monterrey, South Korea came in 1-1 and South Africa at 0-1-1, but both with a chance to advance. The opening period saw Korean possession – 61% by the hydration break, and one promising header in the first minute! – and a 4-3 South African shots edge.

There was excitement in the 30th as South Korea goalkeeper Seung-Gyu Kim made a double save to keep it 0-0, and that’s the way the half ended. While the Koreans had 61% of the ball, the South Africans were more aggressive, with 10 shots to four.

Korea kept the ball in the second half, but South Africa finally got a goal in the 63rd from striker Thepelo Maseko, who was set up for a left-footed finish in the middle of the box by fellow forward Tshepang Moremi. It’s about all South Africa has done in the “third quarter,” as South Korea has 65% possession at the break and a 13-5 shots advantage.

And the Koreans could not find the answer. A desperate try at 90+3 saw Jin-Seop Park get a promising header at goal, but it was saved. Korea ended with 68% of the ball but the South Africans maintained a 13-8 shots total and are moving on.

● Group A ● Mexico won the group with three wins (9 points) in style. But the surprise was South Africa, which lost to Mexico, 2-0, in the opener, tying the Czechs and beating the South Koreans to advance (1-1-1: 4) for the first time ever. The Koreans have three points (1-2) and have to wait to see if they can advance as a third-place team.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

The second trio of groups to finish play on Thursday include:

● Group E: Ecuador vs. Germany: East Rutherford (4 p.m. Eastern)
● Group E: Curacao vs. Ivory Coast: Philadelphia (4 p.m. Eastern)

● Group F: Japan vs. Sweden: Arlington (7 p.m. Eastern)
● Group F: Tunisia vs. Netherlands: Kansas City (7 p.m. Eastern)

● Group D: Turkey vs. United States: Inglewood (10 p.m. Eastern)
● Group D: Paraguay vs. Australia: Santa Clara (10 p.m. Eastern)

The U.S. government has allowed the Iranian team to travel to Seattle for its Friday match with Egypt on Wednesday, a day earlier than it has allowed previously for its matches in Inglewood, California.

The Iranians will be expected to leave after Friday’s match and return to its training base in Tijuana (MEX).

Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo was given a five-match ben by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for his foul against Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone in the 51st minute of the opening match that resulted in a gruesome broken leg.

Madibo apologized later, but Kone, of course, was eliminated from further play.

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INT’L OLYMPIC COMMITTEE: How did the IOC settle on $10,000 for athlete grants? Brisbane 2032 program now based on disciplines review

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ 146th IOC SESSION ≡

How did the IOC come up with the $10,000 amount for its new grant program?

IOC chief Kirsty Coventry (ZIM) was asked at Wednesday’s news conference about that, and she referenced her experience as an Olympic Scholarship holder, receiving a $5,000 allocation for a qualifying event for entry, travel and preparation expenses. Noting that the qualifying period prior to a Games often includes two world championships, that would be $10,000.

For those who retire – “life after sport” – she noted the IOC’s work with Bangladeshi economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the Athlete365 Business Accelerator, and that Yunuis’ experience has been that $10,000 was enough almost everywhere to get someone started on a project, or as seed money to interest others.

The discussion then was how it was to be financed, distributed and so on.

Fraud was a concern and Coventry explained that the existing Olympic Solidarity network program will be used. Athletes apply through the IOC’s Athlete365 portal, and are approved, the money is sent to the National Olympic Committee. The NOC sends confirmation of transmission to the athlete and the athlete confirms receipt via Athlete365.

Coventry was asked about the intense, negative reaction to her 22 May interview with SportNationNZ, where she told reporter Alex Chapman that she was not in favor of paying athletes, later clarified to not paying prize money. Explained Coventry:

“I’ve always said we need to find ways to directly support athletes. … It was a little frustrating, obviously, the backlash from New Zealand, because also, internally, I already knew about this and it was like, ooohhhh, the timing is horrible. …

“Is this the right thing to do? It is the right thing to do. We found a way to directly support all Olympians and that is a priority.”

The IOC Session approved new guidelines for the Olympic program, with the emphasis now on “disciplines” – generally, a group of events which use a common venue – rather than on sports.

Now, the sports and disciplines will be confirmed seven years prior to an Olympic or Winter Games, essentially when the host city-region is selected, with the specific events to be specified after the immediately prior Games is concluded.

The simplified criteria for disciplines, once qualified on governance and integrity, will focus on (1) global appeal; (2) cost and operational complexity; and (3) athlete representation.

Organizing committees will be allowed to ask for up to four added disciplines for an Olympic Games and two for a Winter Games, to be decided five years prior to a Games.

In the news conference following the Session, it was noted this approach will be applied first to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, and will be concluded near the end of 2026, or in early 2027 at the latest.

A question was asked about the status of Russian athletes and the Russian National Olympic Committee, which continues to be suspended by the IOC. Coventry noted that the question of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its presence in areas which – for sport – were under the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian Olympic Committee, has not been resolved and is being reviewed by the IOC’s Legal Affairs Commission.

The Session added new language for the Olympic Charter, reading “The IOC’s role is: to apply neutrality at all times, free from governmental, cultural, societal or economic pressure.”

How this is to be applied concerning Russian athletes is to be considered by the Legal Affairs Commission. So for now, status quo.

As the IOC’s new $10,000 grant requires adherence to the IOC’s rules on anti-doping, “neutrality” and other rules, Coventry noted that it will be up to the IOC and its Athletes Commission to educate athletes on what “neutrality” means and what is expected of them at the Games and elsewhere, in order to comply.

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OLYMPIC GAMES 2036: IOC confirms new “Strategic Dialogue” step in selecting 2036 host, to be confirmed in 2029

By
Rich Perelman
-

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≡ OLYMPIC GAMES 2036 ≡

After a tumultuous period in which Olympic hosts were selected 11 years in advance for 2028 and 2032, the International Olympic Committee announced a new, more disciplined approach for the 2036 Olympic Games, to be chosen in 2029.

The new process inserts a new element – “Strategic Dialogue” – into the selection procedure, an intermediate step between the current discussion-stage “Continuous Dialogue.” The IOC’s statement explains it this way:

● “March 2027: The IOC EB will shortlist Interested Parties from the Continuous Dialogue pool to enter Strategic Dialogue. During this new transitional stage, they will be expected to provide an initial response to the Future Host Questionnaire and core financial guarantees.”

● “Late 2028: The IOC EB will open a Targeted Dialogue with Preferred Hosts, based on a Future Host Commission report with a thorough analysis of the bid files and findings from the Commission’s visits. During the Targeted Dialogue, the Preferred Hosts will have an opportunity to update their submissions to address feedback provided by the Future Host Commission during the Strategic Dialogue. They will also have to submit a full set of guarantees, to give maximum legal and financial security.”

● “Mid-2029: The IOC EB will select Preferred Hosts to be put forward for election by the IOC Session to become the host of the 2036 Olympic Games.”

This is a distinct change in the way host decisions are being made. Where the Olympic Agenda 2020 project changed the bidding process from an expensive, circus-like free-for-all with millions spent on a winner-take-all election to a very inexpensive but also murky decision on who hosts Games, the new concept creates a fairly straightforward idea:

(1) Continuous Dialogue: open discussion
(2) Strategic Dialogue: shortlist with preliminary documentation
(3) Targeted Dialogue: second shortlist with heavier inquiries
(4) Preferred Hosts: final candidates for election

The specification of “Preferred Hosts” indicates that the multiple candidates will be put forward for a vote by the IOC members, who have indicated a strong desire for a vote, rather than an affirmation of a selection made by the Future Host Commission and agreed by the IOC Executive Board.

A question yet to be answered is how the IOC will try to contain campaigning costs of the bidders in the final phase, where IOC members will be voting to choose a host city. Even with what appears to be a nine-month phase, there is no doubt that ambitious bidders will find ways to spend money in unique ways to try and obtain votes in any way they can.

And in the recent past, this has created significant problems.

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INT’L OLYMPIC COMMITTEE: IOC approves $10,000 grant for all Olympic athletes, starting with Milan Cortina 2026!

By
Rich Perelman
-

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≡ ATHLETE PAY ≡

In a 22 May interview with SportNationNZ’s Alex Chapman, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry (ZIM) said:

“I don’t believe in paying athletes and I come from a small country. I came from a sport that doesn’t necessarily pay athletes very well and I still don’t believe we should be paying athletes at the Olympic Games.

“Now I do think we should find more ways to directly impact athletes and find ways to directly help them on their journey to become Olympians, while they’re Olympians and as they’re finding ways into their new career transition, because I think as the Olympic Movement, it’s not just about those athletes that are the best in the world, right?”

She added, referring to her own swimming career:

“I was an Olympic Solidarity scholarship holder; without that money, I’m not sure I would have been as successful. And I’m so grateful for that. And it’s because of that that I want to be able to have that solidarity model felt across the Movement.”

Thirty-three days later, the IOC Session approved a first:

“[E]very athlete at the Olympic Games will be eligible for a new USD 10,000 ‘Fit for the Future Olympian Grant.’ The grant has been set up to support the sporting career or the career transition of Olympians. A fund of USD 140 million per Olympiad has been set aside, as announced today by the Chair of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission (AC), Pau Gasol, during the 146th IOC Session in Lausanne, Switzerland. The first athletes to benefit from this initiative will be the Olympians who competed at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.”

Coventry said in a follow-up post to her SportNationNZ interview that she was referring to prize money and not to money paid to athletes for development and training. The IOC paid 2,150 “Olympic Scholarship” holders some $17.6 million in 2024 alone.

Now, every Olympian can get $10,000, as part of Coventry’s “Fit for the Future” program:

“The Fit for the Future Olympian Grant complements the existing support programmes. About 14,000 Olympians per Olympiad are expected to be eligible for a grant of USD 10,000 for each edition of the Olympic Games in which they compete. The grant will be delivered through existing National Olympic Committee (NOC) structures.

“If an Olympian chooses not to apply for this grant, their allocation will remain in the fund to benefit future Olympians. The grant will not decrease or detract from already existing support provided by the IOC to the NOCs, International Sports Federations (IFs), Organising Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOGs) or Olympic Solidarity.”

Said Coventry in the IOC statement: “It has been a topic of conversation for many years, and I am extremely proud that we are now able to do this.”

(Yes, The Sports Examiner called for it in July 2025, but for $10,000 for every Olympian for the Olympic year and the three years following.)

IOC Athletes Commission Chair Gasol (ESP), clearly a rising star in the Olympic Movement, noted in the statement:

“This grant will be available to every Olympian. Not just medal winners. Not just athletes from certain countries. Every Olympian. Because, while every athlete’s journey is different, every Olympian has made sacrifices to reach the Olympic stage. Years of dedication. Years of hard work. Years of believing in a dream.

“This is not prize money. This is about recognising the journey and the commitment it takes to become an Olympian. 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.”

The first payments are expected to be sent in early 2027, for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

Observed: This is a monumental shift for the IOC, but completely in keeping with Coventry’s concern that the Olympic Movement has to remain relevant, and today, that means paying athletes.

The activists will moan that this is already insufficient and that unionization and collective bargaining are needed, ignoring the reality that the IOC spends 68% of its revenue just to put on the Olympic and Winter Games.

But this is an important step and there will be more money for athletes in the future. A day after the 132nd anniversary of the founding of the IOC, Coventry has – as she promised – taken the organization is a new direction.

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FOOTBALL: Ronaldo scores two for Portugal; England draws, Croatia wins; Paraguay radioman banned for on-air insults at FIFA World Cup!

By
Rich Perelman
-

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

Another star-studded World Cup day, as Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and almost got more in the first game of the day, by far the most stylish of the four. England and Ghana played to a 0-0 draw, Croatia survived a taut test from Panama, 1-0, and Colombia edged D.R. Congo, also 1-0.

● Group K: Portugal 5, Uzbekistan 0 ● After a disappointing draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Portugal needed a win in Houston and got off to a good start thanks to its star scorer Ronaldo.

In the sixth minute, a cross from defender Joao Cancelo from the right side of the field found Ronaldo camped at the corner of the box, and he fired a right-footed shot that zoomed inside the near post for the 1-0 lead. Ronaldo was mobbed by his teammates and the goal gives him scores in six different World Cups, the first to do it.

In the 17th, Portugal was awarded a free kick just outside the box and the entire stadium expected Ronaldo to take it. He was standing ready, but instead it was defender Nuno Mendes with a left-footed strike that skipped past the left side of the wall and just inside the far post for the 2-0 lead, on a brilliantly simple, deceptive play.

At the hydration break, Portugal had 80% possession and a 6-1 shots edge. But momentum changed after the break, as Uzbek midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullev wrapped his arm around Portugal’s Cancelo at the top of the box and the ball went free to midfielder Azizjon Ganiev, who sent a perfect strike into the goal to close up to 2-1. But a video review called the obvious foul and the goal was disallowed. Wow.

Portugal returned to the attack and Ronaldo was on the right side as midfielder Bruno Fernandes came down the middle of the field in the 39th. Fernandes sent an in-stride pass to Ronaldo running full speed to the corner of the box. He cut the ball back to the far left side of the Uzbek goal and behind keeper Abduvohid Nematov for 3-1 and his second goal of the day (and his 10th World Cup goal).

Ronaldo almost had a third goal at 45+6 on a chip shot over the keeper, but it was saved at the goal line by defender Abdukodir Khusanov. At the half, Portugal enjoyed 65% possession and was 8-3 on shots.

Off a corner in the 60th, Fernandes sent a ball right to the near post, which it was touched by Ronaldo and forward Joao Felix, rebounded off Khusanov and then off of Nematov and into the net for an own goal and a 4-0 Portugal lead. At the hydro break, Portugal was up to 66% of the ball and 12-6 on shots.

Portugal made it 5-0 in the 87th on a deflected pass that landed at the feet of midfielder Rafael Leao, who smashed the ball in from the middle of the box. Portugal finished at 66% possession and 17-7 on shots as they left no doubt.

● Group K: Colombia 1, Dom. Rep. Congo 0 ● Colombia came in with a win and D.R. Congo – the Leopards – with a draw in their first match, for this game in in Guadalajara.

The first half was a question of defense for the Leopards, as Colombia had a 14-2 shots advantage, and D.R. Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi was fabulous. He saved a 4th-minute shot from striker Luis Suarez and then a rebound try from defender Daniel Munoz went wide. Star midfielder James Rodriguez also beat Mpasi in the 11th, but the keeper won. Forward Luis Diaz was barely stopped in the 16th; Mpasi made five saves in the first 20 minutes!

Colombia had 75% possession by the time of the hydro break, but no score. The rest of the half was more of the same and it remained 0-0.

Mpasi stopped another try by Diaz in the 50th and blocked a dangerous cross from defender Johan Mojica in the 63rd. By the second hydro break, Colombia possession was up to 69% and 16-3 on shots.

Finally, a pass from the top of the box to the right side by midfielder Juan Quintero found Munoz in the 76th, and he was on target with a hard, low shot that appeared to deflect off of D.R. Congo defender Steve Kapuadi and into the net for a 1-0 Colombia lead.

Colombia scored twice more – both by Diaz – in the next four minutes, but the first was overturned for a foul and the second for offsides. Mpasi then stopped a rocket from 30 yards out by midfielder Gustavo Puerta in the 86th.

The Leopards went on offense in the 90th, and Colombian keeper Camilo Vargas barely made a save on a drive from the top of the box by forward Nathanel Mbuku, that was the first shot-on-goal for D.R. Congo in the game. A header by striker Simon Banza off a corner almost found the net, but Vargas kept it out at 90+2!

Colombia held on for the 1-0 win, but with 64% possession and 20-8 on shots.

● Group L: England 0, Ghana 0 ● It was rainy in Foxborough, with England on the ball from the beginning. There was a free kick by Declan Rice that just sailed over the crossbar in the 14th and at the hydro break, it was England with 86% possession and 3-0 on shots.

But for the most part, England was frustrated by a packed-in Black Star defense, much to the distaste of the huge, pro-England crowd. After 35 minutes, the stats showed England completing 242 passes to 32 for Ghana. But it was 0-0.

Beyond that and a nasty, head-to-head collision between Ghana striker Jordan Ayew and defender Reece James in the 21st, the half ended without incident. England had 78% possession and 6-0 on shots, but did not come close to a score.

The second half was more of the same, lots of probing by England and a push now and again by Ghana. There were collisions, hard tackles and a total of 38 fouls committed in the game, 24 by Ghana, and a yellow card for each side.

At the hydration break – in the 70th – England had 76% possession and a 13-1 shots edge. While the game opened up a little at the very end, especially with a couple of England corners in the waning moments of stoppage time, it ended 0-0. England finished at 79% possession and 19-2 on shots, but could not solve the Ghana defense.

Both are now 1-0-1 and have four points.

● Group L: Croatia 1, Panama 0 ● Both teams were coming off of opening losses in Toronto and a loser would be eliminated. Croatia had control of the early portion of the game, but was unable to score.

Panama nearly took the lead in the 23rd on a brilliant header by midfielder Jose Luis Rodriguez, taking a cross from defender Amir Murillo in the middle of the box that Croatian keeper Dominik Livakovic barely got a hand on and pushed it off the crossbar for an amazing save. At the hydration break, it was Croatia with 58% possession and 1-1 on shots.

Croatia created chances, notably with midfielder Martin Baturina, whose shot had to be saved by Panama keeper Orlando Mosquera at 45+1, and the speedy Rodriguez was a problem again and again on runs down the left side. But the half ended 0-0, with Croatia at 64% possession and just three shots in the half, two from Croatia.

Panama’s speed continued to threaten in the second half, but a classic cross and run-on in the 54th saw defender Josip Stanisic sent a perfect ball from the right side clear through the box and striker Ante Budimir had only to flick it in for a 1-0 lead and a roar from the Croatian fans.

A key follow-up moment came as Panama’s Mosquera saved a breakaway by forward Marco Pasalic in the 57th to keep Panama in it. Then Los Canaleros got organized and Livakovic had to make two quick saves on Murillo and then a brilliant pushaway on a header by midfielder Carlos Harvey in the 68th. The hydration break followed with Croatia at 61% possession and up just 5-4 on shots.

Panama was on the attack – all out – in the final minutes, and a Croatia foul gave Murillo a free kick just above the box at 90+2, but he skied it over the goal. It ended 1-0, with 58% possession for Croatia, an 8-6 edge on shots; Panama was eliminated.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

The Wednesday schedule is the first of four days of six matches to close out play in three groups (points shown for each team):

● Group B: Switzerland (4) vs. Canada (4) ● (Vancouver: 3 p.m. Eastern)
● Group B: Bosnia & Herzegovina (1) vs. Qatar (1) ● (Seattle: 3 p.m. Eastern)

● Group C: Scotland (3) vs. Brazil (4) ● (Miami Gardens: 6 p.m. Eastern)
● Group C: Morocco (4) vs. Haiti (0) ● (Atlanta: 6 p.m. Eastern)

● Group A: Czechia (1) vs. Mexico (6) ● (Mexico City: 9 p.m. Eastern)
● Group A: South Africa (1) vs. South Korea (3) ● (Monterrey: 9 p.m. Eastern)

It was reported that FIFA has revoked the credential of Paraguay ABC Cardinal radio commentator Jorge Vera for the World Cup for “repeated personal attacks and derogatory comments directed at FIFA officials.”

During the Paraguay-Turkey match, midfielder Miguel Almiron was shown a red card for covering his mouth while talking to an opposing player, in violation of new rules in force for the World Cup.

Vera ranted at Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton, then went after FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI): “Thief, thief, Barton. They killed football. FIFA, you killed football. Infantino, you’re responsible for this.”

He added, “FIFA, take responsibility for turning football into this. A disgrace. You should be ashamed, Infantino.” He then turned on South American confederation chief Alejandro Domínguez, who is from Paraguay: “Alejandro Domínguez, less photos with Infantino. Grow a pair. You [expletive deleted] thieves!”

ABC Cardinal asked for the cancellation to be reduced, as Vera later apologized: “We believe that the permanent cancellation of a credential for the entire duration of the tournament constitutes an extreme and manifestly disproportionate sanction for a primary infraction that was immediately acknowledged, for which formal apologies and concrete mechanisms for redress were offered.”

Vera said in a follow-up video, in part (translated from the original Spanish): “During the live transmission of the Paraguay-Turkey match, in the heat of the moment and the tension of the broadcast, I made comments that exceeded the limits. …

“I want to apologize publicly to FIFA, to the refereeing team, to my colleagues, and especially to the audience for any offense my words may have caused. It was never my intention to attack anyone personally. I got carried away in the emotion of the moment. I take full responsibility for my mistake.”

There are lots of fan festivals around the world watching the World Cup, but in Amman (JOR), a large crowd assembled at Hashemite Plaza early Tuesday morning and an exit “stampede” caused injuries to nine people, one of whom later died.

Jordan lost to Algeria, 2-1, Monday evening in a group-stage match in Santa Clara, California.

FIFA President Infantino said in a television interview that hydration breaks, experimentally included for the 2026 World Cup in response to heat concerns, will be reviewed for future use. He noted that despite outrage from purists:

“Maybe the coach can reassess certain situations, correct certain mistakes. The players get a little rest and come back in full speed. Well, is that bad necessarily? Maybe it’s good.

“And we see as well the intensity of the games. We’ve never seen 90 minutes in a tournament like this played in such an intensity. Until the last second of the match, players attack and so on.

“And maybe, maybe not, but maybe it’s also a bit thanks to this little break that the players have and after they can go back on the field and show what they can do.”

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UTAH 2034: First “Games Plan” document published, with ambition to “permanently endow winter sport in Utah” and future Games

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ “GAMES PLAN I” ≡

Amid all the chatter of a possible “Winter Games rotation” concept from the International Olympic Committee, the folks at the Utah 2034 organizing committee are looking to ensure that the state will be permanently ready to host the Olympic Winter Games.

The release of the first version of the 2034 Games Plan, published Tuesday, does not hide the ambition. The “Impact and Legacy” section states:

● “Utah 2034 will use the Games as a catalyst to shape a stronger, more unified future, one where the tangible and intangible outcomes of hosting extend well beyond 2034 and are felt across Utah, the nation, the world, and future generations.”

● “Deliver Games with a budget surplus to permanently endow winter sport in Utah.”

The “Experience” section adds an emphasis on those who will not be on-site:

● “Collaborate with media rights holders and other partners to design digital experiences to share the Games in a positive way. Remote fan experiences should be built to inspire real-world participation in sport, explore ideas for social viewing and engagement, and promote positive interactions with athletes.”

The “Deliver” program description underlined what makes the Utah plan so special, with venues in place for all of the sports on the Olympic and Paralympic program:

“Utah 2034 will deliver the Games by reusing existing venues, infrastructure, systems, and operating models wherever possible. Where upgrades or new investments are required, they will be led by venue owners, public agencies, and delivery partners, and will reflect long term community priorities rather than Games specific construction.

“Utah 2034 will support and inform those decisions by providing Games requirements, coordinating across partners, and encouraging early choices in areas with long lead times. Prioritizing decisions related to transport, technology, energy, accommodation, and venue readiness early creates clarity, reduces late stage risk, and allows readiness to progress in a controlled and disciplined way.”

While the Olympic venue plan is not shown as final, all of the sites are identified and – depending on the weather – within an hour’s drive, reflecting the 2002 Olympic Winter Games plan that worked so well and new options developed since:

● Block 85: Freestyle Skiing, Snowboard
● Deer Valley: Freestyle Skiing
● Delta Center: Ice Hockey
● Maverik Center: Figure Skating, Short Track
● Park City Mountain: Freestyle Skiing, Snowboard
● Peaks Ice Arena: Ice Hockey
● Rice-Eccles Stadium: Ceremonies
● Salt Palace Convention Center: Curling
● Snowbasin: Alpine Skiing
● Soldier Hollow: Biathlon, Cross Country Skiing, Nordic Combined
● Utah Olympic Oval: Speed Skating
● Utah Olympic Park: Bobsled-Luge-Skeleton, Freestyle Skiing, Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping, Snowboard

Funding for the Games was confirmed as essentially from four sources: the astonishing, Utah-driven “Podium34″ fund-raising effort which has already surpassed $250 million, plus domestic sponsorships sales starting in 2039, tickets and hospitality sales and, of course, a share of International Olympic Committee television rights and sponsorships.

The plan acknowledges risks, notably its vision for the future, due to a “[l]ack of alignment on a shared vision across the organization and delivery partners leads to misaligned objectives, added cost, and delivery risk” with the future objective of the Games clearly stated again:

“A catalyst for reinforcing Utah as a winter sports hub, aligning sport requirements, targeted upgrades, and long-term use of Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation–operated venues and confirming Utah’s viability as a regular Games host.”

See you in 2050?

Observed: The plan, ambition and presentation are all outstanding, built from the excellent bid. But as the slowly-growing 2034 team already knows – as several of those working now were key players during the 2002 Winter Games – the doing is as hard or harder than the planning. And the real threats to the 2034 Games are, as of now, unknown.

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PANORAMA: NCAA Division I adopts five-year eligibility rule starting 2027-28; Tokyo Marathon ‘27 to pay $170,000 to winners!

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● NCAA ● As expected, the NCAA Division I Cabinet approved the five-year eligibility program, to be fully in place by the fall of 2027:

● The new rules will permit “Division I student-athletes up to five years of eligibility if they enroll in college no later than the academic year after their 19th birthday. The new rule streamlines a significant portion of the Division I rule book by eliminating season-of-competition limits, sport-specific eligibility and redshirt rules, and eligibility extension waivers.”

● “The rule change will be effective for all prospects initially enrolling full time in college in fall 2027 or later.”

● “For students enrolling full time in college for the first time in fall 2026 and current student-athletes with eligibility remaining after the 2025-26 academic year, Division I schools will apply the previous rules (allowing four seasons of competition within five years) or the age-based model, whichever results in the most favorable outcome for each individual.”

Exceptions are allowed for pregnancy, religious missions, and military service. Waivers for medical issues, redshirts and the like are no longer a part of the collegiate experience, and the five-year eligibility term is in sync with the graduation path of about half of all students (not just athletes).

● Athletics ● The Tokyo Marathon announced that for its 20th anniversary race on 7 March 2027, the race size will increase from 39,000 to 40,000 runners.

A much bigger increase is set for the elite race prize money, which will grow to $170,000 for the winners, the largest prize of any of the World Marathon Majors races. No details of increases beyond the winners was noted; the prize money for the 2026 Tokyo Marathon was to 10 places: $80,000-30,000-15,000-7,000-5,000-4,000-3,000-2,000-1,000-500.

● Gymnastics ● The Russian news agency TASS reported that World Gymnastics has added rules for victory ceremonies, including “a strict ban on political, religious or racial propaganda on the podium; the display, wearing or use of any political, religious or racial symbols, signs, messages, banners, clothing or gestures; and the display of any flags other than the official national flags approved by World Gymnastics.”

Possible sanctions include “disqualification, annulment of results, and forfeiture of medals and titles.” The associated national federation may also be sanctioned.

There have been multiple incidents at recent World Gymnastics events involving Russian and Ukrainian gymnasts refusing to recognize the other during medal ceremonies.

● Ice Hockey ● The Hockey Hall of Fame announced the selection of six individuals as new members, including two-time Olympic champion Patrice Bergeron (CAN), 2014 Olympic gold-winning goalie Carey Price (CAN), goalie Pekka Rinne (FIN), four-time Olympian Keith Tkachuk (USA), and three-time Worlds silver winner Cindy Curley (USA), all players, and long-time NHL executive Brian Burke as a Builder.

The Hockey Hall of Fame induction is on Monday, 9 November 2026 in Toronto (CAN).

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SAFESPORT: U.S. Center for SafeSport report for 2025 emphasizes decreases in case resolution times amid expanding case load

By
Rich Perelman
-

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≡ U.S. CENTER FOR SAFESPORT ≡

“There was no roadmap when SafeSport opened in Denver in 2017, and within the first year, it received 281 reports of alleged abuse and misconduct. Fast forward to 2025, SafeSport received nearly 9,700 reports, a 20% increase over the previous year.

“Nine years after starting this work, there are now more than 2,600 individuals banned or restricted from participation in sport listed on our Centralized Disciplinary Database, a first-of-its-kind public resource for parents, employers, youth-focused volunteer programs, or anyone with a stake in athlete safety.”

That’s from a Monday commentary in the Denver Post by U.S. Center for SafeSport chief executive Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, who noted that after an extensive review of procedures and speaking with athletes, “we are laser-focused on developing the gold standard for athlete safeguarding.”

The SafeSport annual report for 2025 is now available and strenuously underlines progress made in case-processing and decision times, a magnet for criticism:

● A 25.3% decrease in case length for cases submitted from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2024 (36.9 days average for 10,131 cases) compared with 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2026 (27.5 days for 13,159 cases).

● A 9.0% decrease in case length for those matters which result in a violation, no violation and minor resolutions, from 154.6 days for 2022-24 down to 140.7 days for 2024-26.

● A 62.9% decrease in the number of cases open for two years or more from 1 January 2025 (70) to 1 January 2026 (26).

The nature of cases coming to SafeSport continued to show injuries of varying types as the most common. Of 8,065 allegations logged in 2025:

● 3,751 (46.5%): Emotional or physical misconduct
● 1,414 (17.5%): Sexual misconduct
● 861 (10.7%): Other inappropriate conduct
● 801 (9.9%): Criminal misconduct
● 545 (6.8%): Violation of Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP)

The total number of allegations is rising, from 6,706 in 2023 to 7,009 in 2024 and now 8,065 in 2025. The total number of reports to the Center has similarly risen from 7,533 in 2023 to 8,098 in 2024 and 9,683 in 2025.

Statistics for all SafeSport cases since inception were provided showing that most cases submitted are not resolved by SafeSport at all:

● 32,035 total cases since inception
● 10,213 (31.9%): jurisdiction declined
● 6,830 (21.3%): no jurisdiction
● 6,644 (20.7%): administrative hold (insufficient information)
● 3,438 (10.7%): administrative closure (multiple reasons)
● 1,329 (4.1%): jurisdictional hold (individual currently not in sport)
● 3,322 (10.4%): violations found
● 239 (0.7%): no violation found

Subtracting out the 2025 results shows:

● 7,399 cases processed
● 2,603 (35.2%): jurisdiction declined
● 2,096 (28.3%): no jurisdiction
● 928 (12.5%): administrative hold
● 855 (11.6%): administrative closure
● 209 (2.8%): jurisdictional hold
● 668 (9.0%): violations found
● 25 (0.3%): no violation found

So, SafeSport in 2025 rejected 63.5% of cases either for lack of jurisdiction, or determining that 2,603 emotional and physical misconduct cases – discretionary matters for SafeSport – should not be reviewed because they do not “involve severe injuries [or are not] are related to a matter the Center has exclusive jurisdiction over; or … when an NGB [National Governing Body] has a conflict of interest.”

Subtracting these out, there were 2,700 cases that resulted in 668 violations, 25 findings of no violations, 855 that were “administrative closure” that could include an admonishment or letter of concern and 1,137 held for administrative or jurisdictional reasons.

As of the end of 2025, there were 2,545 individuals on the Centralized Disciplinary Database, of which 51.1% were “ineligible,” and 37.5% were permanently banned; that’s 88.6% of the total.

SafeSport has undertaken a significant educational effort, with 1,641,420 online course completions, up from 1,574,923 in 2024. The goals are unchanged, per the report:

“1. Setting clear ground rules for 13+ million members of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement.

“2. Educating athletes, parents, coaches, and others on abuse prevention and response to give the sport community a shared, best-practices foundation for safety.

“3. Ensuring safety policies are followed through investigations and audits, and holding accountable individuals and organizations that don’t adhere to the rules.”

Observed: The reduction in case processing times is laudable and must continue. But the statistics show a continuing, inefficient process that is partly due to SafeSport itself and partly due to who files reports and for what.

And while the faster case processing times are helpful, the number of cases shows that there continue to be safeguarding problems in Olympic sport, at an – unfortunately – increasing rate. SafeSport needs to find a way to create not only incentives, but pressure for compliance and thereby reduce opportunities for abuse. Not easy.

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FOOTBALL: All-star Monday has Messi historic in Argentina’s win; two goals for France’s Mbappe and two for Norway’s Haaland in FIFA World Cup

By
Rich Perelman
-
The amazing Lionel Messi (ARG), playing for Inter Miami in 2025 (Photo: Wikipedia via Bryan Berlin).

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

An almost unbelievable day of star power, with Argentina’s Lionel Messi setting the all-time record for World Cup goals, but being pressed by French star Kylian Mbappe! And then Norway’s scoring machine, Erling Haaland, got two of his own!

● Group J: Argentina 2, Austria 0 ● After a hat trick in his opener, Messi was back on the field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and he was after history.

This was an evenly-played match in the first half, with strong defenses and possession for both sides. Messi was at the penalty spot in the 9th, after a tackle by Stefan Posch on Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez. But he missed the penalty to the right of the goal and it remained 0-0.

Messi had another chance saved by Austrian keeper Alexander Schlager in the 19th, and had one blocked in the 31st. But in the 38th, as defender Facundo Medina sent a cross from left to right to the top of the box and Messi sent a one-timer into the left side of goal for a 1-0 lead. It’s his 17th World Cup goal, making him the greatest scorer in the history of the tournament.

It was 1-0 at the half, with just five shots in the game, three by Argentina, which had 54% possession, but was far more dangerous.

Argentina dominated the second half, and questions were raised about the officiating, with a goal kick given on a clear touch on a save by Austrian keeper in the 65th and increasing pushing and shoving. Argentina was up to 58% possession and 6-5 on shots at the hydration break, showing exceptional defense as well as Messi on offense.

There were Austrian forays, but they didn’t get too far and a header at 90+3 was a late charge that failed. The Argentine defense was just too good, and on a defensive block, Messi was away and running in the final minute of the match.

The ensuing play saw forward Julian Alvarez have his shot blocked, then midfielder Leandro Paredes rolled the rebound to Messi in the middle of the box. His shot was blocked, but it came right back to him, and he sent another shot between defenders and it went into the net at 90+5 for a 2-0 win. Messi now has 18 career World Cup goals and all five of Argentina’s goals in this tournament.

Argentina finished 11-6 on shots and with 54% possession. Austria was good, but the defending champions have Messi.

● Group J: Algeria 2, Jordan 1 ● Both teams were coming off of opening losses in this game in Santa Clara, California, and Algeria was clearly in control of the ball from the start. There was no score at the hydro break, but Algeria had 76% of possession, but just two shots to three for Jordan.

And Jordan – in its first World Cup appearance – found an opening in the 36th, as forward Mousa Al Mardi kicked a cross from the left side to the center of the box for forward Mousa Al-Tamari, who whiffed on a shot, with the ball rolling backwards to the ready-and-waiting midfielder Nizar Al-Rashdan for the right-footed strike that got past Algerian keeper Luca Zidane for the surprising 1-0 lead.

The half ended that way, with Algeria at 74% possession, but Jordan the most efficient, with six shots to four.

Algeria kept up the pressure in the second half, with 75% of the ball and seeing shots go wide, over the goal or saved, like midfielder Ibrahim Maza’s header in the 54th. Finally, in the 69th, a corner kick from forward Riyad Mahrez found forward Nadhir Benbouali for a header that went from the center of the box to the left and a 1-1 tie.

At the hydro break, Algeria was still at 74% possession and now with 12 shots to eight for Jordan, meaning eight shots to two in the “third period.” Another Algerian corner in the 82nd went off of multiple players, spilled out in front of the goal and was batted in by a barely-onside striker Amine Gouiri coming from behind the play for a 2-1 lead.

Algeria held on to win and stayed in contention to advance, holding 72% possession and a 17-8 shots edge.

● Group I: France 3, Iraq 0 ● It only took 14 minutes for French star striker Mbappe to score at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as he took a short pass from midfielder Michel Olise at the right side of the box and, with room to shoot, sent a blistering left-footed laser into the Iraq net for a 1-0 lead. It’s his 15th career World Cup goal, now equal-third all-time.

France continued to apply pressure and at the hydro break, it had 67% of the ball and all five shots in the game. Iraq immediately made a foray and got their first shot.

A hard rain started in the 37th and the fans were seen taking out ponchos or blankets or heading for cover – most of the stadium is open – but the game continued. It lightened a bit as the half ended, with Iraq mounting more offense amid the storm and France settling for 58% possession and 7-2 on shots.

The storm – and a possible lightning strike – caused a “seek shelter” warning for spectators at the half at 6:10 p.m. Eastern. The teams did not return for warm-ups until 7:33 p.m. Eastern and play did not resume until 8 p.m.

Play on the restart was fairly even, then a terrible Iraqi defensive mistake, as defender Zaid Tahseen casually passed the ball back to keeper Ahmed Basil, who could not control it and it was intercepted by striker Ousmane Dembele. He passed it to Mbappe in the middle of the box and he drove it home for the 2-0 lead in the 54th. Stunning.

France continued in control and salted the game away in the 66th, as Olise drove into the middle above the box, slid the ball to the right side for Dembele, who had space and sent a liner to the far side of the Iraq net for a 3-0 lead. Mbappe had a couple more chances, but did not score and leaves with 16 career World Cup goals, equal-second all-time.

The game ended with France at 55% possession and 19-4 on shots. No problem.

● Group I: Norway 3, Senegal 2 ● MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey was cleared four hours prior to kickoff to due heavy rains and flood concerns, but the game started on time at 8 p.m. Eastern.

The Norwegians were on offense from the start, but could not score in the “first period” and it was 0-0 at the hydro break. But their confidence grew during the half, and in the 43rd, midfielder Martin Odegaard’s pass was touched by Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly and drifted to the right side. Ready to pounce was defender Marcus Pederson with a hard shot from the right side that could not be handled by Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy and found the far side of the net for a 1-0 lead.

The ever-dangerous Erling Haaland hit the post at 45+4, after Mendy slipped and gave the Norwegian star an open look, but from a difficult angle. It stayed 1-0 to the half, with 50-50 on possession, and Norway at 7-6 on shots.

Senegal started well in the second half, but just three minutes in, a Norwegian break after a turnover had Odegaard rolling down the middle of the field, then optioned left to Haaland inside the box and he finished with the left foot on a ripping shot that Mendy had no shot at. 2-0.

Senegal needed to get busy and forward Nicolas Jackson sent a promising header that was saved in the 52nd by Norway keeper Orjan Nyland. A minute later, a Senegal possession was going back and forth, then a ball to striker Sadio Mane in the middle of the field and above the box allowed him to send a through-ball to forward Ismaila Sarr, and he got to the ball before Nyland and got the ball in the net for 2-1.

Norway wanted to score and then came down quickly and in the 57th, a clearance in the box by Koulibaly resulted in the ball at the foot of midfielder Patrick Berg on the left side. He sent a short pass toward Haaland in traffic in the middle of the box and somehow he got to it and sent a right-footed shot off the crossbar and into the net for a 3-1 lead. He’s amazing.

At the hydro break, Senegal had 56% of possession, but the Vikings had 11 shots to nine (and three goals). Norway threatened continuously in the final minutes and a sure goal by midfielder Oscar Bobb was headed away right in front of goal by midfielder Pathe Ciss at 90+1.

Senegal had possession, and suddenly made it a game again at 90+3, as a pass in the box from Jackson found Sarr, who ripped a shot into the net to close to 3-2! Senegal stayed on offense, but could not find the tying score.

The Senegalese finished at 58% possession and 16-13 on shots, and the final minutes were scary. The win means undefeated Norway will face undefeated France for the group title in their third game.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

The schedule for Tuesday, 23 June, to end the matches in the second round of the group stage:

● Group K: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, in Houston (1 p.m. Eastern)
● Group L: England vs. Ghana, in Foxborough (4 p.m. Eastern)
● Group L: Panama vs. Croatia, in Toronto (7 p.m. Eastern)
● Group K: Colombia vs. Dom. Rep. Congo, in Guadalajara (10 p.m. Eastern)

The schedule will have six matches per day from Wednesday through Saturday to finish the group stage.

The Iranian team left SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles after its 0-0 tie with Belgium on Sunday, and posted a handwritten note in its locker room:

“From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast.

“We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity.

“Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality. And thank you to every Iranian who gave their heart, voice, and soul for Iran throughout these 180 minutes.

“May peace, respect, and friendship prevail among all nations.”

Los Angeles, with its large Iranian expatriate population, was the best possible place for “Team Melli” to play and was rapturously cheered in both of its SoFi Stadium games.

Iran will face Egypt in its final group-stage game in Seattle, trying to advance to the elimination round. “Team Melli” was required to leave Los Angeles hours after its Sunday game, to return to it training base in Tijuana (MEX).

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI) has been everywhere, showing up at 10 matches in the first seven days in cities all over North America. He wasn’t flying commercial.

His schedule in a Qatar Airways private jet has been frantic, with the French “climate accounting” firm Greenly commenting, “Just one hour in this plane emits roughly what an average human being emits in an entire year.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been a success, but not without glitches. A Politico review of the U.S.-Paraguay opening match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood noted a massive traffic jam near the stadium as a self-driving Waymo car could not make a left turn onto busy Manchester Boulevard.

There was a benefit to this, with Los Angeles Office of Major Events chief Paul Krekorian explaining that this was one of many situations which can be planned for ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in L.A.:

“Instead of just steaming about it, I was thinking: OK, how are we going to geofence Waymos? How are we going to work with the transportation network companies to make sure that we have effective pick-up and drop-off locations? All of that stuff.”

The Associated Press did a nice round-up of some unique food offerings – and their prices – at World Cup stadiums; the prize for fairness goes, as usual, to Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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PANORAMA: Alpes 2030 sites confirmed in Lyon and Heerenveen; 10.77 for Sha’Carri Richardson; $1.02 million prizes at fencing Worlds!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Fencing world champs to offer $1.02 million in prize money in 2026! (Photo: USA Fencing).

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Olympic Games 2012: London ● Following up on a Russian doping disqualification in the women’s 800 m of Yekaterina Poistogova (now Guliyev), Kenya’s Pamela Jelimo and American Alysia Montano were confirmed as the silver and bronze medalists by the International Olympic Committee.

All three Russians in the race were disqualified for doping, including original winner Mariya Savinova and Poistogova, who was third. South Africa’s Caster Semenya was moved up to gold medalist and now Jelimo and Montano are 2-3.

● Olympic Winter Games 2030: French Alps ● The IOC Executive Board approved major changes to the 2030 venue layout, with the “ice cluster” moved out of Nice and to Lyon, thanks to the refusal of the Nice Mayor to allow use of the Allianz Riviera stadium for ice hockey (it would disrupt the schedule of the Nice football club).

Now, Lyon will host figure skating and short track, curling and ice hockey. Because there is no suitable site for speed skating, it will be held in one of the sport’s iconic venues, the Thialf arena in Heerenveen (NED).

In alpine skiing, both Courchevel and Val d’Isere were confirmed; the famed Val d’Isere site was originally not in the plan, but heavy lobbying from the alpine community changed the decision.

● Olympic Winter Games 2042 ● New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced an “Exploratory Committee” as “a statewide effort tasked with evaluating the feasibility of a future Winter Games concept linking Lake Placid’s Olympic legacy with New York City’s global platform.”

The effort is expected to take about a year with the aim at a possible bid for the 2042 Olympic Winter Games. The 2034 Winter Games will be in Utah and the likely host of the 2038 Winter Games is Switzerland. And: “The formation of the Exploratory Committee does not represent a commitment to pursue a formal Olympic or Paralympic bid. At the conclusion of the process, the committee will submit its findings and recommendations to State leadership for review.”

There are eight members of the central committee, plus five subcommittees.

Observed: This committee idea is a great way for Lake Placid, way up in the north of New York State, to remain a high profile in the rest of the state. However, the concerns already voiced internationally about the too-spread-out nature of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games mean the Lake Placid-New York concept is likely already dead at the level of the International Olympic Committee. Not to mention that Utah 2034 has existing infrastructure all within about an hour’s drive and a permanent athlete village at the University of Utah.

A more plausible (and profitable) scenario would be a combo bid for simultaneous world championships in ice (in New York) and snow (in Lake Placid) sports with a combined national broadcaster in a non-Olympic year. That could be interesting.

● Panam Sports ● The 64th Panam Sports General Assembly will take on the final two days of the first Panam Sports Week, to be held from 24-28 August in Lima (PER).

A special session on 24 August – “Forward Together” – will bring the heads of the 41 National Olympic Committees in the region to “design a strategic roadmap for the organization’s future: a conversation that will set the course for the coming years, redefining how the Americas envision sport, leadership, and shared purpose.”

Visits will also be made to venues for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, and the host of the 2029 Junior Pan American Games will be made.

● Archery ● At the windy and difficult USA Archery Team Qualifier Easton Foundation SoCal Showdown, Tokyo 2020 Olympian Jack Williams won the men’s Recurve gold with a 6-4 victory over Nicholas D’Amour, and Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez, a fellow Tokyo star, won the women’s title.

Dutch Compound stalwart Mike Schloesser took the men’s Compound over American James Lutz and 19-year-old Beretta McKee took the women’s Compound title over first-time finalist Leann Drake.

● Athletics ● A noteworthy run Saturday for 2023 World women’s 100 m champ Sha’Carri Richardson of the U.S., winning at the Star Athletics Sprint Series in Winter Garden, Florida in 10.77 (+0.3) over two-time Olympic 400 m winner Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH: 11.05). Richardson moves to no. 2 in the world this year.

The men’s 100 was fast too, with Courtney Lindsey winning in 9.89 (+1.4) over Pjai Austin (9.99). Brandon Hicklin won the 200 m in a lifetime best 19.92 (+1.0) with Sam Blaskowski right behind in a personal record 19.93 and Christian Coleman in 20.03. Lindsey is now equal-4th on the 2026 world list, and Hicklin is no. 11.

Italian walk star Alex Schwazer, the 2008 Olympic 50 km walk gold medalist, has been suspended almost continuously since 2012, and was hit with an eight-year penalty in 2016. In late April, the German anti-doping agency tested him at the German walking nationals and his samples returned positive for Erythropoietin (EPO).

Schwazer, now 41, told reporters, “I have not taken Erythropoietin and I don’t know how it ended up in the test tube. But I don’t care, I don’t want to know or I’ll ruin myself. I’m innocent and I don’t care about anything else. I won’t defend myself; at 41, I no longer have the strength.”

He added that he will ask for the samples his team collected also be analyzed, but noted, “I no longer have any faith in the system and I can do without it.”

● Fencing ● The International Fencing Federation announced its World Championships prize money amounts, with $1.02 million in total available:

● $480,000 for individual events in Epee, Foil, Sabre for men and women: $40,000-20,000-10,000 for places 1-3.

● $540,000 for team events in Epee, Foil and Sabre for men and women: $50,000-25,000-15,000 for places 1-3 per four-person team.

It’s a very considerable amount for a small federation like the FIE. This is the second year of prize money at the FIE senior-level Worlds; the 2026 championships take place in Hong Kong from 22-30 July.

● Hockey ● The fourth FIH Women’s Nations Cup finished Sunday in Auckland (NZL), with India completing an undefeated tournament by shutting down New Zealand, 2-0. India went 3-0 in Group A, then slugged Chile, 6-0 to make it to the final.

New Zealand was 3-0 in Group B and edged the U.S. – second in Group A – by 4-1 in a shoot-out following a 1-1 tie in regulation time in the semis. The U.S. won the bronze with a 3-2 decision over Chile in the third-place match. Ashley Sessa scored twice for the Americans, first in the 12th minute and then the game-winner in the 46th.

Sessa tied with India’s Deepika Sehrawat as the top scorer with six goals overall and was named Player of the tournament.

● Skateboard ● At the World Skateboard Tour in Rome (ITA), Japan’s 2023 World Champion Sora Shirai had the highest-scoring run and the top trick to score 177.92 and win decisively over countrymen, 2023 Worlds runner-up Kairi Netsuke (172.19) and two-time World Champion Toa Sasaki (168.41) in the men’s final.

Chloe Covell (AUS), the 2022 Worlds silver winner, also had the high scores in both run and trick to win the women’s gold with 177.01 points, ahead of Japan’s 2023 World Champion Yumeka Oda (155.15). American Paige Heyn was fourth (150.43).

● Weightlifting ● This is a sport which has been desperately troubled by doping issues, and five cases were announced in the last few days. The International Testing Agency said that Nigerian lifters Lucky Joseph (stanozolol) and Brenda Uchenna Bosah (exogenous testosterone) have both been provisionally suspended for positive tests.

Further a 2023 positive for Georgian lifter Kakhi Asanidze for ostarine was confirmed by the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and a four-year penalty imposed that will end in August 2027.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency posted a three-month sanction for Canadian lifter Hanna Digenis for testing positive for Carboxy-THC, a urinary metabolite of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); Angel Quintero was banned for two years for the masking agent furosemide, through 21 December 2027.

None of these are shattering developments, but unwelcome reminders of the issues in this sport.

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OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES: Swiss government gives go-ahead for 2038 candidature, but with a fixed financial offer and no deficit guarantees

By
Rich Perelman
-

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≡ SWITZERLAND 2038 ≡

The Swiss government pronounced its backing to have the 2038 Olympic Winter Games in the country. The official statement released on Sunday noted:

“The Federal Council is in favour of Switzerland hosting the 2038 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. At the start of this year, it set out the main criteria for supporting this major sporting event. During the consultation process, the proposed planning decision was widely supported. This provides for a federal contribution of CHF 200 million.

“At its meeting on 19 June, the Federal Council took note of the results of the consultation and approved the dispatch for submission to Parliament.”

The funding is a key issue and the statement was clear about what the Swiss government WILL NOT cover (CHF 1 = $1.24 U.S.):

“In the planning decision, the Federal Council has provided for a federal contribution of up to CHF 200 million. This support is conditional on the cantons and communes contributing an equivalent amount to the costs of planning and staging the OWPG 2038. The federal contribution will be used to co-finance the Paralympic Games (CHF 60 million), subsidise public transport for visitors (CHF 50 million), cover additional costs incurred by the organising body (CHF 80 million) and provide a contingency fund for unforeseen expenses (CHF 10 million). This sum excludes funding for security tasks, which will be covered by the Confederation as part of its regular responsibilities.

“The planning decision also stipulates that the Confederation will not be liable for any deficits related to the 2038 Winter Games. The association responsible for organising the Games has provided a privately financed deficit guarantee of CHF 200 million. Total costs are estimated at CHF 2.2 billion, and alongside public-sector contributions, revenues are expected from sponsorship, merchandising, ticket sales and a substantial contribution from the IOC.”

The Swiss bid is in a “Privileged Dialogue” with the International Olympic Committee and has until the end of 2027 to complete a bid which is satisfactory to the IOC. There is no doubt of the quality of Swiss winter-sport facilities, but it will be key to see what the IOC will do with the lack of a national government guarantee against deficits.

Recent Games have had multiple partners guarantee against deficits, as is the case for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games, with local, regional and national governments all involved in guarantees. Los Angeles 2028 has the City of Los Angeles as the primary guarantor, with some help from the State of California, but not from the U.S. government.

The Swiss government announcement also ruled out a national referendum and made a clear statement about how “big” the Winter Games project is:

“The Federal Council continues to classify the planning decision as ‘not of major significance’, meaning it is not subject to an optional referendum. The expected financial commitment from the Confederation is significantly lower than that of previous OWPG bid projects, and the risks associated with the hosting and financing concept appear manageable.

“The decentralised hosting concept ensures that parliaments and local populations in the areas where competitions will take place will be involved.”

Switzerland has hosted the Winter Games twice, in St. Moritz in 1928 and 1948.

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PANORAMA: Another U.S. Breaststroke record for Van Mathias in Tyr Pro Swim Indy; Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon Singles

By
Rich Perelman
-
American Addy Wiley on her way to her June 2026 Diamond League 800 m win in Doha! (Photo: Marta Gorczynska for Diamond League AG).

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Athletics ● World Champion Cordell Tinch of the U.S. got his first Diamond League win of the season on Friday in Doha (QAT), after a second and fifth in two prior Diamond League meets and third at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix. The time of 13.23 wasn’t fast, but he was happy:

“We have been practicing well and feeling well, been healthy, to come out here and finally get over the hump of getting a win, I do not think people understand how much is in track and field.

“Just getting that the first one really does matter and you are able to keep the ball rolling from here. So finally to come out here, be able to get one. Not the fastest race but at the same time, we are in the same condition, so to be able to come out and be one that wins feels great.

“It is about how to navigate. It was very challenging last year to be able to come out and run as well as I did all year. This year, I did not start off the best but to build back up towards the end of the season and know that everyone is looking to beat you, that is another type of challenge.”

The other American winner was 22-year-old Addy Wiley, the 2026 World Indoor bronze winner, in the women’s 800 m in a seasonal best 1:57.98, her fifth-fastest ever:

“I feel super honored to be able to get a win and that experience has definitely built throughout the Diamond Leagues to make this possible. I have been thinking about winning a Diamond League meeting for over a year now.

“I ran too hard and I knew I had put my all out there, no matter what the outcome was, but I kind of just asked myself ‘how bad do you want this, do you want today to be the day or do you want to get second place again?’”

● Skiing & Snowboard ● In an announcement which shows a move toward unity by the larger federations, former International Ski & Snowboard Federation Secretary General Urs Lehmann (SUI) is coming back as the interim FIS Secretary General.

He will serve from 1 July to 31 March 2027, with a search process on now. The statement also noted that new President Alex Ospelt (LIE) and the FIS Council “have agreed to establish a separate Working Group to review the financial situation of FIS and to prepare proposals where necessary.” This was a significant issue in the FIS Presidential campaign.

● Tennis ● American icon Serena Williams, 44, will return to Wimbledon in the women’s Singles division after receiving a wild-card invitation on Sunday. She will also play Doubles with sister Venus, 46.

She has won the Wimbledon Singles title seven times, the last time in 2016; Her last appearance was in 2022, losing in the first round. Her career Wimbledon Singles record is 98-14 in 21 appearances.

≡ RESULTS ≡

● Artistic Swimming ● China was the big winner at the World Aquatics Super Final in Toronto (CAN), with World Champion Huiyan Xu taking the women’s Solo Technical at 264.4450 and then teaming with Yanjun Lin to win the Duet Technical (314.0565) and Duet Free (315.0224).

Germany’s Klara Bleyer won the women’s Solo Fee at 281.6175. American Anita Alvarez was fourth in the Solo Tech (242.2800) and seventh in the Solo Free (234.0200). Alvarez and Jaime Czarkowski won the bronze in the Duet Tech (291.4334) and sixth in the Duet Free (279.3276).

Britain’s Ranjuo Tomblin won the men’s Solo Tech (249.2033), and the Solo Free (255.9600), with American David Llorente seventh (201.6338). Tomblin and Isabelle Thorpe won the Mixed Duet Tech (224.3934) and Mixed Duet Free (264.3033). Llorente and Yilian Yuan were seventh in the Tech and Llorente and 15-year-old Chloe Kim were sixth in the Free.

China won the Team Acrobatic event at 243.3207 with the U.S. fifth, and the Team Technical at 305.6316 with the U.S. second at 285.4617. Japan won the Team Free at 257.9333 and the U.S. was third at 238.2152.

● Athletics ● World Champion Oblique Seville won the Jamaican national men’s 100 m title in Kingston in a world-leading 9.82 (wind: +0.6 m/s), with 91-year-old Gary Card second in a lifetime best of 9.93.

Shericka Jackson won the women’s 100 m in 10.81 (-0.3), over Tina Clayton (10.85) and Jonielle Smith (10.94).

At the Iron Wood Classic in Rathdrum, Idaho, World Indoor runner-up Jordan Geist of the U.S. moved to no. 4 on the 2026 world list with a shot put win at 22.24 m (72-11 3/4), his second-best throw ever.

Olympic and World Champion Valarie Sion won the women’s discus at 70.29 m (230-07) in the fifth round, improving on her 70.00 m (229-8) in round three. It’s her second meet of the year over 70 m.

At the annual FBK Games in Hengelo (NED), Dutch star Femke Broeders-Bol continued her move to the 800 m with a quality win in 1:57.41, not far off her best of 1:57.13 in Ostrava last week. The U.S. saw wins from Sam Prakel in the men’s 1,500 m (3:33.23) and Chris Nilsen in the vault (5.82 m/19-1).

● Badminton ● At the BWF World Tour Macau Open, Zhe An Hu (CHN) defeated Kantaphon Wang Charoen (THA) in the men’s Singles final, 11-21, 21-10, 21013, while top-seed Ga Eun Kim (KOR) swept countrywoman Ga Eun Park in the women’s final, 21-16, 21-13.

South Korea won the men’s Doubles and Chinese teams won the women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.

● Boxing ● Uzbekistan led the medal table at the World Boxing Cup II in Guiyang City (CHN) with 11 total podiums, including four golds (4-3-4), but host China and Kazakhstan each won four classes and had nine (5-1-3) and eight medals (5-0-3), respectively.

The U.S. won two medals, both in men’s classes, with Lorenzo Patricio winning the 55 kg division and Marcus Luther taking a silver at 65 kg.

● Cycling ● At the UCI World Tour Tour de Suisse, a warm-up for the Tour de France, Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar took the lead after the first stage and won the fourth-stage Individual Time Trial to pile up a 2:04 lead going into Sunday’s 150.7 km climbing finale into Villars-sur-Ollan.

Pogacar rode away from France’s Lenny Martinez to win stage five by seven seconds in 4:12:24. Overall, Pogacar finished in 15:08:43, up 6:32 on Richard Carapaz (ECU). Brandon McNulty was the top American finisher in sixth (+7:53).

The women’s Tour de Suisse saw four different riders take the race lead after the first four stages, with home favorite Marlon Reusser, who won the stage four Individual Time Trial and grabbed a 10-second lead on prior leader Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA).

Sunday’s 100.4 km, triple-climb route was a Reusser win in 3:07:20, riding away in the final 800 m from Cedrine Kerabol (FRA: +0:07) and Kasia Niewiadoma (POL: +0:07). Overall, Reusser finished in 11:58:35, 1:31 up on Kerabol and 2:02 ahead of Niewiadoma, with Longo Borghini fading to ninth on the final standings.

At the USA Cycling National Road Championships in Charleston, West Virginia, Kate Courtney, the 2018 World Mountain Bike champ, continued her successful road career with a 3:02:30 win in Sunday’s women’s road championship. She rode away from Lauren Stephens on the sixth and final lap to win by five seconds with Grace Arlandson third (+0:09). Stephens was second for the second straight year.

Defending champion Quinn Simmons took over on the final two laps to win the 10-lap men’s road title in 4:43:16, beating Kevin Vermaerke (4:45:21) and 2017 winner Lawrence Warbasse (4:45:22). It’s Simmons’ third win in this race in the past four years.

At the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Lenzerheide (SUI), France’s 2021 World Junior Champion Adrien Boichis won the Short Track men’s race in 19:59, over countryman Luca Martin (20:01) and American Bjorn Riley (20:05). The top two were reversed in the Cross Country Olympic race, as Martin won in 1:20:43 with a brilliant final lap, and Boichis had to settle for second in 1:21:08. Riley was third again, in 1:21:41.

The women’s XCO went to Rio 2016 Olympic champ Jenny Rissveds (SWE) in 1:24:24, almost a minute up on Ronja Blochlinger (SUI: 1:25:22) and then Savilla Blunck of the U.S. (1:25:34). Blunck won the women’s Short Track race in 20:27, just ahead of Blochlinger (20:27) and 2018 World U-23 Champs winner Alessandra Keller (SUI: 20:31).

In the men’s Downhill,2024 Worlds bronzer Finn Iles (CAN) won again in 2:46:348, over 2019 Worlds bronze winner Amaury Pierron (FRA: 2:46.830) and American Asa Mermette (2:47.584). American Anna Newkirk won the women’s race in 3:12.917, ahead of Lisa Baumann (SUI: 3:13.508).

● Fencing ● The U.S. dominated the Pan American Championships in Lima (PER), sweeping all three men’s individual titles with Alexander Massialas (Foil), Gabriel Feinberg (Epee) and William Morrill (Sabre, over teammate Colin Heathcock). The U.S. men swept the team titles in Epee, Sabre and Foil.

The women’s winners included American Anna van Brummen in Epee, Canada’s Paris bronzer Eleanor Harvey in Foil (over Carolina Stutchbury of the U.S.), and Natalia Botello of Mexico in Sabre.

The U.S. women won the team titles in Epee, Foil and Sabre to finish with 10 golds in 12 events.

● Gymnastics ● Rising U.S. star Claire Pease, 17, won the women’s All-Around title at the Pan American Championships in Rio de Janeiro (BRA), in a 1-2 with Charleigh Bullock – 54.498 to 54.032 with Brazil’s Thais Fidelis in third (52.232). The U.S. woman also won the team title at 161.828 over Brazil (157.796).

The Vault title went to 2022 World A-A champion Rebeca Andrade (BRA), returned to competition for the first time since 2024, with Pease third; Aurelie Tran (CAN) won on the Uneven Bars over American Simone Rose; Isabella Ajalla won on Beam over Rose, and Pease took the Floor title.

The men’s A-A title went to Colombia’s Camilo Vera (81.265) with teammate Angel Barajas second (80.765) and Yul Moldauer of the U.S. in third (78.865). Canada won the team title, scoring 243.026, ahead of Colombia (241.594) and the U.S. (235.961).

Vera, the A-A winner, took the apparatus title on Vault, while the U.S. claimed wins on Pommel Horse (Patrick Hoopes) and Parallel Bars with Moldauer. Guatemala’s Jorge Vera won on Floor; Canada’s William Emard took the Rings gold, and Angel Barajas (COL) won on Horizontal Bar.

At the Rhythmic World Challenge Cup in Beijing (CHN), home favorite Qi Wang won the All-Around, scoring 110.80 over Russian Sofiia Ilteriakova (109.00). Ilteriakova won the individual apparatus finals on Ball, Clubs and Ribbon; teammate Arina Kovshova won on Hoop.

● Judo ● Japan overwhelmed the field at the IJF World Tour Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam in Mongolia, claiming two men’s wins with World Champion Takeoka Takeshi (66 kg) and World Champion Sanshiro Murao (90 kg), and six women’s golds with three-time Worlds medalist Wakana Koga (48 kg), World and Olympic champ Uta Abe (52 kg), Akari Omori (57 kg), World Champion Haruka Kaju (63 kg), World Champion Shiho Tanaka (70 kg), and Worlds runner-up Mao Arai (+78 kg).

American Jack Yonezuka reached the final of the men’s 73 kg class, but lost to home favorite Ankhzaya Lavjargal, the 2024 Worlds bronzer of Mongolia.

● Sport Climbing ● American Annie Sanders scored her seventh career World Climbing World Cup gold in Innsbruck (AUT), taking the women’s Bouldering final at 68.9, well ahead of Britain’s Erin McNeice (34.8). The men’s title went to Japanese star Sorato Anraku, the 2025 World Champion, with a commanding 74.0 to 59.3 edge over teammate Rei Kawamata.

In Lead, Japan’s Neo Suzuki won the men’s title at 43, just ahead of Alberto Gines (ESP: 42+) and Austria’s four-time World Champion Jakob Schubert (42). Slovenian superstar Janja Garnbret, a three-time World Lead Champion, won the women’s gold at 44, over Sanders (38+) and 2021 World Champion Chae-hyun Seo (KOR: 36+) in third.

● Swimming ● More fireworks on Saturday’s final night of the Tyr Pro Swim Series in Indianapolis, as Van Mathias collected another American Record, this time in the 100 m Breaststroke, in 58.01.

That took down Michael Andrew’s 2021 mark of 58.14 and he moves to no. 4 all-time in the event. Mathias had already set a second U.S. record in the 50 m Breast earlier in the meet. Denis Petrashov (KGZ: 59.39) was a distant second.

American Record setter Anna Moesch won the women’s 100 m Freestyle in a dominating 52.11, ahead of Paris Olympic silver winner Torri Huske (53.05) and Kate Douglass (53.09). World-record-setter Douglass won her fourth event of the meet in the women’s 50 m Fly final, in 25.39, with training partner Claire Cruzan second in 25.76.

Distance Freestyle icon Katie Ledecky claimed her third win of the meet in the 800 m Free, winning in 8:12.87, with Mika Nikanorov second in 8:26.24.

Tokyo Olympic champ Bobby Finke, who lost the 1,500 m Free to Harvard’s William Mulgrew, took the 800 m Free over Mulgrew, 7:56.21 to 7:56.51, with his familiar final 50 m sprint.

Patrick Sammon won the men’s 100 m Free in 47.92. Ilya Kharun, now affiliated with the U.S., won the men’s 50 m Fly in 22.73, beating Andrew (23.08). South African Aimee Canny won the women’s 100 m Breast final in 1:05.97

Hungary’s David Betlehem, the Paris 2024 bronze winner, took the 10 km gold at the World Aquatics Open Water World Cup in Setubal (POR), touching just ahead of France’s Sacha Velly, 1:43:23.7 to 1:43:24.0.

Australia’s Moesha Johnson, the 2025 Worlds 5 km and 10 km gold medalist, took the women’s race in 2:08:12.1, beating Bettina Fabian (HUN: 2:08:13.3.

● Triathlon ● The World Triathlon Championships Sprint in Quiberon (FRA) was a triumph for home favorite and Olympic champion Cassandre Beaugrand, finishing in 58:29, ahead of Tilda Mansson (SWE: 58:37) and Jolien Vermeylen (BEL: 58:42). Beaugrand was first out of the water and then had the second-fastest run to get to the line first.

Rio 2016 Olympic champ Gwen Jorgensen was the top American, in 10th in 59:12, with Gina Sereno in 11th (also 59:12).

Countryman Dorian Connix, the 2023 World Champion, took the men’s race in 53:16, using a final sprint to finish ahead of Vasco Vilaca (POR: 53:17) and teammate Ricardo Batista (POR: 53:19). John Reed of the U.S. was eighth in 53:36. Connix’s consistency was key: seventh fastest in the swim, ninth on bike and seventh in the run.

The French sweep was completed in the mixed relay, with Leonie Perault, Yanis Seguin, Emma Lombardi and Connix winning in 1:23:42, well ahead of Italy (1:24:06). The U.S. was sixth at 1:24:21 with Sereno, Seth Rider, Jorgensen and Reed.

● Wrestling ● It’s a tough thing to have a world champion wrestler unable to represent their country, but that’s what happened to reigning men’s 86 kg title holder Zahid Valencia at the USA Wrestling Final X in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday.

He lost, two matches to one (2-3, 4-1, 4-0), to four-time World Champion Kyle Dake, who will go back to the Worlds after losing to Valencia in 2025. Dake won Worlds golds at 74 kg and 79 kg and now will try at 86 kg.

Spencer Lee, the 2024 Olympic runner-up, won at 57 kg; Marcus Blaze, the 2025 U-20 Champion, took the 61 kg class; 2023 World Champion Zain Retherford won the 70 kg final; two-time Worlds medalist James Green made his eighth U.S. senior team at 74 kg; 2025 Worlds silver winner Levi Haines won at 79 kg; 2016 Olympic 97 kg champ Kyle Snyder made the team again, as did Wyatt Hendrickson at 125 kg.

Trent Hidlay, the 2025 World Champion, won at 92 kg in a separate bout last week.

In the women’s Final X, four-time World Champion Helen Maroulis made her 13th U.S. national team and will defend her 2025 Worlds gold at 57 kg. Olympic and World Champion Amit Elor, back from maternity, won the 72 kg class by forfeit. Two other bouts will be held later due to medical postponements.

Two teenagers made the U.S. Worlds team, including 18-year-old Morgan Turner, the two-time World U-17 champ, at 50 kg, who has now qualified for the national team for the U-20, U-23 and senior levels! Fellow 18-year-old Everest Leydecker, the World U-20 champ, won at 55 kg

World Team member Adaugo Nwachukwu won at 62 kg, defeating two-time Worlds medal winner Macey Kilty in three bouts. Two-time Worlds medalist Kayla Miracle won at 65 kg; Cristelle Rodriguez swept her bouts 55 kg and Abigail Nette swept at 59 kg.

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FOOTBALL: Spain destroys Saudi Arabia, 4-0, Belgium survives red for 0-0 with Iran, Egypt’s Salah stars in Sunday FIFA World Cup

By
Rich Perelman
-
The 2026 FIFA World Cup “Trionda” ball by adidas (Photo: adidas).

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

Spain needed to make a statement after its 0-0 match with Cape Verde and it hammered Saudi Arabia. Belgium wanted to do the same against Iran, but had trouble all day, including a red card and had to settle for a 0-0 draw. Egypt took a major step forward against New Zealand. And then there is Cape Verde.

● Group G: Belgium 0, Iran 0 ● Both teams tied in their first matches and so both needed a win at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The Belgians had control of possession, but no goals in the first 20 minutes.

Iran appeared to score a shock goal off a free kick in the 24th, when the ball was kicked straight ahead to striker Mehdi Taremi, who turned and whipped the ball into the Belgian goal, but it was wiped away for encroachment on the free kick and offsides. At the hydration break, Belgium had 74% of possession and was 7-2 on shots.

The Belgians just could not break down the Iranian defense and the half ended 0-0, with the Red Devils at 81% possession and 11-2 on shots. But not close to a goal.

Belgium almost scored in the 59th, with Iranian keeper Alireza Beiranvand holding on to the ball after what looked like a sure goal on a point-blank shot from defender Maxim de Cuyper.

In the 67th, Belgian defender Nathan Ngoy lost the ball near midfield and it was pounced on by Taremi, who headed toward the Belgian goal alone. Ngoy tackled him aggressively and was called for a red card, bringing them down to 10 men for the remainder. The hydro break came a moment later, with Belgium at 78% possession and 17-5 on shots. But that was going to change.

Iran was on offense in the “fourth quarter,” but the Belgians did get a couple of strong looks. In fact, in stoppage time, Belgium had the ball in Iranian territory almost the entire time and it ended 0-0.

Neither team was eliminated with the tie; Belgium finished with 70% possession and a 23-7 shots edge. Iran, playing with 11, was outshot, 6-2 after the Ngoy red card.

● Group G: Egypt 3, New Zealand 1 ● Both teams played to draws in their first games and met in Vancouver looking to break out in the group after the Belgium-Iran tie earlier. Egypt started with on offense but was stunned in the 15th. On a corner, defender Tim Payne sent a perfect ball to the top of the six-yard box, where the 6-3 defender Finn Surman smashed into the net on the fly for the 1-0 lead.

At the hydro break, Egypt had 52% possession, but New Zealand had a 5-3 shots lead. Egypt applied pressure in the remainder of the half and had 57% possession overall, with six shots to seven for the Kiwis. But the 1-0 lead held up.

Egypt started the second half with an offensive push, but no goals, as the game got increasingly physical. But the pressure finally paid off, as a cross from defender Mohamed Hany from the right side found midfielder Mostafa Zico right in front of goal and he scored emphatically in the 58th for the 1-1 tie.

New Zealand’s offense got going, but it also opened opportunities and in the 67th, superstar striker Mo Salah took the ball on the right side, moved into the middle, then laid the ball off to Zico. The pass was returned quickly as Salah set up to shoot and sent a seeing-eye ball into the net for the 2-1 lead. The hydro break showed Egypt with 58% possession and nine shots in a frantic “third period” and 15-9 on shots for the game.

Egypt kept the pressure on and salted the game away in the 81st, with a corner by Salah that forward Trezeguet came up to meet at the near post and head into the net to go to 3-1. There were saves by Egypt’s Mostafa Shoubir and New Zealand’s Max Crocombe in stoppage time, but it ended 3-1, for Egypt’s first-ever World Cup win. They had 56% possession and had 19 shots to 11 for New Zealand.

● Group H: Spain 4, Saudi Arabia 0 ● After its scoreless draw opener against Cape Verde, Spain needed to get well in Atlanta, and did, quickly.

The scoring drought finally ended in the 10th minute, as striker Mikel Oyarzabal sent a line-drive cross from the left side of the field to the far side of the Saudi goal that was met by teen sensation Lamine Yamal for a 1-0 lead.

In complete control of possession, Spain kept coming and off a corner in the 21st, midfielder Dani Olmo sent a cross from the right side to the far side of the Saudi goal, where after a failed Saudi clearance, the ball came down to midfielder Aymeric Laporte. He headed to Oyarzabal, who brought it down, then slammed it into the goal for a 2-0 lead.

The rout was on in the 24th, as defender Pedro Porro’s cross from right to left was received by midfielder Marc Cucurella, volleyed to Olmo, who headed it to the far (right) side of the goal to Oyarzabal, who volleyed it in with the left foot for a spectacular show of skill by the Spanish. 3-0.

When the hydration break was called in the 25th, the stat charts showed Spain with 72% possession and 12-0 on shots. Wow.

The rest of the half showed Spain less sharp and an occasional foray by the Saudis. Possession was at 72% and shots at 17-2.

More for Spain in the 49th, as a corner came to Cucurella at the far side of the Saudi goal and he crushed a shot that was saved by keeper Mohammed Al-Owais, but ricocheted off of defender Hassan Al-Tambakti into the net for an own goal for 4-0. At the hydro break, Spain had 71% of the ball and 21-2 on shots.

A Ferran Torres goal for Spain at 90+2 was called offsides and it ended 4-0 with 67% possession for Spain and 22-3 on shots. A complete rout.

● Group H: Uruguay 2, Cape Verde 2 ● Steamy conditions at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, with 89 F temps and 67% humidity at the start of the game, and it turned into a hot game at the end of the first half.

While Uruguay was on offense for most of the half, a foul created a free kick in the 21st, and midfielder Kevin Pina took advantage. Striking the ball from above the box, he hit a hard, one-bounce shot that flew into the goal for a shocking 1-0 lead for Cape Verde, its first goal in World Cup history.

The hydro break soon after showed Uruguay with 66% possession and 4-1 on shots, but down by a goal. It looked for a long time like that goal would stand up for the half, but Uruguay found the magic late.

A cross from midfielder Miguel Ugarte found midfielder Rodrigo Betancour for a header in the box that was deflected by defender Sidny Lopes Cabral and his the post, but the ball came back onto in front and midfielder Maxi Araujo was in the right place to head it in for the 1-1 tie in the 44th.

The half was coming to a close when Uruguay stunned everyone with another Ugarte cross to the left side of the field and into the 6-yard box, headed by Araujo toward the mouth of the goal and midfielder Agustin Cannobio was there to tap it in: 2-1 at 45+6! The half ended soon after, with Uruguay somehow in the lead, and with 65% possession and an 11-2 shots edge.

The second half had Uruguay in control, but a careless cross by defender Mathias Olivera off a throw-in was intercepted by Cape Verde substitute forward Helio Varela. He gained control with his left leg, dribbled in and then slammed home his first international goal with his right foot, for a 2-2 tie in the 61st.

The hydro break showed Uruguay with 68% possession, but a modest 12-6 shots edge, with just one shot in the “third period.” Uruguay was more aggressive with chance after chance starting in the 84th and past 90 minutes. Cape Verde got going late and pressured in the final three minutes of stoppage time, but it ended 2-2.

Uruguay had 68% possession and was 17-12 on shots, but it felt like another Cape Verde “win.”

≡ PANORAMA ≡

Coming up on Monday, still in the second round of the group stage:

● Group J: Argentina vs. Austria in Arlington, Texas (1 p.m. Eastern)
● Group I: France vs. Iraq in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (5 p.m. Eastern)
● Group I: Norway vs. Senegal in East Rutherford, New Jersey (8 p.m. Eastern)
● Group J: Jordan vs. Algeria in Santa Clara, California (11 p.m. Eastern)

With the red card shown to Belgian defender Ngoy, the 2026 tournament is up to eight ejections so far. Only four were issued during the entire 2018 and 2022 tournaments. Nine were issued in 2014, 16 in 2010 and the all-time record of 28 in 2006.

A Los Angeles City staff memorandum noted some details of Federal funding for the World Cup in the Southern California area, with matches being played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, but fan festival events in Los Angeles.

Set for approval on Tuesday (23rd), the details include:

● “The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $57,934,146.00 to the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee, LLC on March 18, 2026. Funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the FIFA World Cup Grant Program (FWCGP) requires no matching funds and has a performance period from July 4, 2025, through August 31, 2026.”

● “From this total, the Host Committee allocated a $3,370,994.09 subgrant to the City under the LAWCSSGP [World Cup Safety and Security Program]. This overall grant program funding covers planning, equipment, training, and personnel costs to secure SoFi Stadium, located in Inglewood, and its surroundings, while enhancing public safety and health capabilities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”

● “Given that the local World Cup games are held outside of the City, the City’s subgrant funding allocation primarily supports the security of the FIFA Fan Festival held within the City at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum from June 11 through 14, 2026.”

The Los Angeles subgrant money primarily goes to the Los Angeles Police Department ($2,311,238) with smaller amounts to the Fire Department ($749,517), the Department of Transportation ($288,126) and the Emergency Management Department ($22,114).

Although the funding agreement is to be approved in Tuesday, the Coliseum fan festival was over on the 14th. The Los Angeles funding was part of a Federal grant of $625 million to support the security aspects of the 2026 World Cup.

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FOOTBALL: Dutch humble Swedes, 5-1 in FIFA World Cup; Germany wins; Curacao’s Room saves 15 in 0-0 draw! And Levi’s wins!

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

A busy Saturday that started with a Dutch rout of Sweden and then taut games in Germany-Ivory Coast and a stupendous performance by Curacao keeper Eloy Room in a 0-0 match with Ecuador.

● Group E: Germany 2, Ivory Coast 1 ● Both teams were coming off wins in their first game in this match in Toronto, and both had chances in the first part of the game. A spectacular play looked for a moment like a German goal in the 21st, as a Nathaniel Brown cross in front of the Ivory Coast goal resulted in a collision between keeper Yahia Fofana and midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic, called a foul on Pavlovic.

At the hydration break, the Germans had 64% possession and a 4-1 shots lead. Then an Ivory Coast rushed resulted in the first score, as forward Yan Diamonde’s cross from left to right found midfielder Amad Diallo for a shot in front of goal that was blocked. But the rebound came right to midfielder Franck Kessie who scored easily for the 1-0 lead in the 30th.

Germany threatened, but could not score and the half ended 1-0, with the Germans at 61% possession and an 8-4 shots advantage.

In the second half, following rush after rush without result, German midfielder Nadiem Amiri sent an arcing pass from the right side of the field right to the middle of the box, and sub striker Deniz Undav ran right onto it and finished for the 1-1 tie in the 68th. Two 60th-minute subs made the difference.

At the hydro break, the German possession was steady at 62%, but shots were up to 12-8 in an active “third quarter.” The Germans continued to probe the Ivory Coast defense, and suddenly, midfielder Felix Nmecha sent a perfect, right-footed strike into the middle of the box for Undav, who turned and ripped the ball into the net for the 2-1 lead at 90+4!

And that was the difference. The Germans ended with 59% of the ball and was 16-9 on shots, and earned their way into the playoff round.

● Group E: Ecuador 0, Curacao 0 ● To no one’s surprise, Ecuador took possession right away in this match in Kansas City, but could not score on six shots (to two) and 78% possession in the first 24 minutes, up to the hydro break.

Curacao showed some offense in the “second period,” but neither team could score in the 0-0 half. Ecuador maintained 75% possession and an 8-5 shots edge as the game became more and more physical. The star was Curacao keeper Eloy Room, with six saves!

Ecuador continued to press in the second half, surviving a Curacao flurry in the 60th to create a shooting gallery at Room, who had 12 saves by the second half hydro break. Ecuador had 74% possession and 21-9 on shots, but still 0-0.

Room continued to stand on his head and keep Ecuador scoreless and the game ended – astonishingly – at 0-0. It’s Curacao’s first-ever point in the World Cup, in its first appearance, with the 37-year-old Room saving 15 shots. That’s the second-most all time to the 16 by American keeper Tim Howard, who had 16 against Belgium in a 2-1 extra-time loss in the 2014 World Cup round-of-16.

Ecuador was not eliminated with the draw; it had 75% possession and a 28-10 shots edge. It was not enough.

● Group F: Netherlands 5, Sweden 1 ● The Orange were all over NRG Stadium in Houston, and they were on fire early, as a cross from the left side from forward Cody Gakpo found an onrushing Brian Brobby down the middle for the left-foot finish in the sixth for the 1-0 lead. Perfect.

It got worse for the Swedes, as defender Denzel Dumfries was on the right side and sent a cross to Brobby, who finished again in the 17th; 2-0. The Swedes were happy to see the hydration break, with the Dutch at 67% possession and a 4-1 shots advantage.

The Swedes were much better after the break and had chances and got a spectacular header off a free kick from defender Gustaf Lagerbielke in the 44th for what looked like a goal, but it was called offsides. The Swedes pressured continuously into stoppage time and at the half, it was 2-0, but the Dutch were down to 60% of the ball and were outshot, 9-5, with Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen the star with four saves!

But just 1:57 into the second half, the Orange struck again, with Dumfries sending a cross right in front of the goal from right to left, got past Swedish keeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt and kicked in by the flying Gakpo for a 3-0 lead. Gakpo got another just seven minutes later, taking a pass from midfielder Crysencio Summerville, dribbling into the box from the left side and scoring with a line drive into the net.

Sweden got onto the scoreboard in the 59th on a solo effort from striker Anthony Elanga, who take a lead pass from forward Alexander Isak above the box, dribbled and sent a left-footed finish over Verbruggen into the net. No defense against speed. 4-1. At the hydro break, Dutch possession was down to 55% and Sweden had a 12-9 shots lead.

But nothing stopped the Orange. It was 5-1 in the 89th after Somerville dribbled down the middle, moved into the box and slammed in a right-footer that went to the left side netting.

● Group F: Japan 4, Tunisia 0 ● Japan needed a win to stay even with the Dutch, and Tunisia was regrouping following the firing its coach after its opening loss and hiring French veteran Herve Renard in advance of this game – the 1,000th World Cup match – in Monterrey, Mexico.

Japan wanted to get ahead early and pressure paid off quickly, as striker Keito Nakamura sent a hot cross from near the left-side endline right in front of the Tunisian goal and it hit the back heel of midfielder Daichi Kamada and popped into the net for a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute!

They nearly got another from defender Takehiro Tomayasu in the 10th, but at the hydro break it remained 1-0, as Japan had 68% possession and a 4-1 shots edge.

Japan had possession in the 31st, with striker Ayase Ueda standing in space at the top right corner of the box, and he let fly with a hard shot that found its way into the goal for a 2-0 lead. Defender Kou Itakura’s underrated pass out of the Japan zone set Ueda up perfectly, breaking the Tunisian midfield defense.

No more scoring in the half, with Japan thoroughly in charge at 65% possession and 5-1 on shots.

Tunisia did not offer much offense in the second half, but also kept Japan off the board until the 69th, then Ueda sent an excellent lead pass from the Japan side of the field to striker Junya Ito. He corralled the ball, ran past a defender, set himself up and sent a right-footed shot into the net for the 3-0 lead. The hydro break followed, with Japan at 63% possession and 9-1 on shots.

Japan kept coming, and got a final goal in the 83rd, on another perfect cross, this time by midfielder Kaishu Sano from close to the right side endline to Ueda at the 6-yard line and headed the ball over two defenders to the right corner of the net for the 4-0 score.

It ended with Japan at 62% of possession and 11-2 on shots. Tunisia was eliminated from advancement.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

A worthwhile story by Front Office Sports about how Kansas City made itself so attractive to FIFA World Cup teams, with Algeria, Argentina, England and The Netherlands all headquartered in the metro area. Moreover, how the area’s Major League Baseball, NFL, MLS and NWSL teams got involved early to spearhead fundraising for World Cup costs.

It’s not all perfect, as the story reported on long transportation times for the first match, between Argentina and Algeria, at Arrowhead Stadium, including long waits at the official fan festival. A KC2026 statement noted, “While decisions regarding stadium entry operations primarily rest with FIFA, based on yesterday’s experience, KC2026 and its partners have provided specific recommendations to improve operations ahead of Saturday’s match.”

FIFA, of course, has required stadiums to cover up their corporate signage in favor of FIFA’s own sponsors. But Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California – home of the NFL’s 49ers – got creative.

The Levi’s name and mark are covered, but with a white tarp which was shaped in the well-known Levi’s “batwing” logo form. Levi’s chief executive Michelle Gass noted on LinkedIn:

“I saw that same wonderful blend of preparation and opportunism this past week from our marketing team, led by Kenneth Mitchell, which took the covered-up logo at Levi’s Stadium and made it a moment, moving quickly and creatively to build social content that resulted in the most-viewed Tik Tok and Instagram posts in the brand’s history, nearly half a billion (and counting) media impressions, and a stream of admiring callouts in media and commentary.

“Our retail and product teams are now following suit, with stores featuring the all-white batwing and Levi’s products with the same imagery coming soon.”

Mitchell noted in his own LinkedIn post, just one regret: “PS – Yes, it definitely would have been denim if it were up to us!”

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PANORAMA: World record 50 m Free for Douglass at Tyr Pro Swim Indianapolis! London Marathon goes to two days (and 100,000) in 2027

By
Rich Perelman
-
Olympic champ and world-record setter Kate Douglass of the U.S. (Photo: Mike Lewis for World Aquatics).

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

● Swimming ● There’s no World Aquatics Championships in 2026, but don’t tell five-time Olympic medalist Kate Douglass of the U.S. that this isn’t an important year.

At Friday’s Tyr Pro Swim Series in Indianapolis, she blasted the women’s 50 m Freestyle on Friday, overtaking fellow star Gretchen Walsh to reach the lead late and win in a world-record time of 23.59!

That removed the 2023 world record of 23.61 by Swedish icon Sarah Sjostrom; it’s the first time the U.S. has had this mark since Dara Torres set it in a relay start in a pre-Olympic meet in 1984! It’s the first world long-course record for Douglass.

Walsh was second in 23.78, now no. 5 all-time. Douglass and Walsh had shared the American Record of 23.91 from 2024 (Douglass) and 2025 (Walsh).

It was the second win of the meet for Douglass, the Paris 2024 Olympic 200 m Breaststroke winner, who took that event in 2:21.65, almost two seconds up on Aimee Canny (RSA: 2:23.61).

Distance icon Katie Ledecky had already won the 1,500 m Free on Wednesday and added the 400 m Free Friday in 3:59.51, way ahead of Kennedi Dobson (4:06.11).

Paris Olympic medalist Katharine Berkoff followed up her Thursday morning world-leading prelim swim in the women’s 50 m Backstroke of 27.05 with a Thursday finals win in a speedy 26.98, just 0.01 off of her American Record from 2025. She was a clear winner ahead of Isabelle Stadden, in 27.14.

Stadden, who won the 100 m Back on Wednesday, won the 200 m Back easily on Friday in 2:04.91. Maggie Wanezek was second in 2:06.05 and now stands no. 4 in the world for 2026.

World-record holder Walsh of the U.S. was a decisive winner in the Thursday women’s 100 m Butterfly, in 55.00 – the no. 5 performance ever – winning by almost 2 1/2 seconds. Claire Curzan was second in 57.48.

Also on Thursday, Harvard’s William Mulgrew claimed a win in the men’s 1,500 m Freestyle over two-time Olympic champ Bobby Finke, 15:07.68 to 15:08.43. The meet continues on Saturday.

Van Mathias, who set an American Record Wednesday in the men’s 50 m Breast, won the men’s 50 m Free on Friday in a lifetime best 21.62, ahead of Michael Andrew (21.78).

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Olympic Games 2036 ● Japan’s Kyodo News reported that the decision on the host for the 2036 Olympic Games will be made at the 2029 IOC Session, going back to the “normal” seven-years-ahead timetable:

“This will be [include] a newly introduced ‘strategic dialogue,’ during which bidders submit detailed plans and financial guarantees, and make presentations to the IOC Session. The final phase is set for the fourth quarter of 2028, with the host city expected to be formally elected at a session in mid-2029.”

Limits are also being considered for how many sports can be added at the request of the organizing committee, with a maximum of “four disciplines for the Summer Olympics and two for the Winter Games, with adoption targeted from the 2032 Brisbane Games. The move reflects concerns about ballooning program sizes following a record 36 sports being included at the 2028 Los Angeles Games after five additions.”

● Aquatics ● World Aquatics confirmed its Post-Career Compensation Fund, beginning with a $10 million initial funding. The fund will pay 10% of “qualified earnings” won at World Aquatics competitions such as its artistic swimming, diving and swimming World Championships and World Cup events subject to certain qualifying criteria, and less for water polo events, with less opportunities. The announcement noted:

“The fund is the first of its kind from an International Federation and provides a lump sum payment to athletes upon retirement, based on sustained participation in World Aquatics events throughout their career and contributions tied to prize earnings.

“Each sport will have different qualification criteria, with athletes considered eligible once they have competed in 80% of events organised by World Aquatics over a four-year period. The more athletes participate in World Aquatics events, the more contribution World Aquatics will make to those athletes to assist with their post-career transition.”

For the aquatics World Cup events in 2026, $1.200 million in prize money will be offered in swimming and $1.064 million for diving and less for other disciplines.

It’s a clever concept and logically structured, but it is also clear that (1) for most athletes, there won’t be much money in this since the number of events is limited, and (2) this is a clever way for World Aquatics to further promote its World Cup events in swimming among the top athletes, especially.

● Athletics ● “For one year only, the world-famous TCS London Marathon will expand into a two-day event for its 2027 edition.”

The 2027 races will be run on 24 and 25 April 2027, with a total of about 100,000 runners taking part, which will help the selection odds for the 1.33 million who have registered for the entry lottery. The men’s and women’s elite races will be run one per day.

The famously flat course of the Berlin Marathon will see world-record attempts on 27 September from both Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe and Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa.

Sawe set the historic mark of 1:59:30 in winning the London Marathon, and won Berlin in 2025 in 2:02:16. Berlin has been the site of nine prior world-record men’s runs.

Assefa is a two-time Berlin winner and set a 2:11:53 world mark in 2023 and holds the women-only world record at 2:15:41. The target is Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich’s 2:09:56 from 2024 in Chicago. Four women’s world records have been set in Berlin.

● Cycling ● At the USA Cycling National Road Championships in Charleston, West Virginia, reigning champion Kendall Ryan powered to the finish to defend her title over Olivia Cummins and Ella Sabo in 1:13:53 with the top four given the same time. It’s Ryan’s seventh title in this event.

The men’s race was a seven-way sprint to the line, after an initial breakaway group of nine ended up winning, with Luke Elphingstone winning at the line in 1:31:17, over Brody McDonald and Gavin Hlady.

● Flag Football ● The International Federation of American Football announced on Thursday a “strategic partnership” with TMRW Sports to develop “the new professional flag football league with the National Football League (NFL).”

The new pro flag football league is targeted to open prior to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, no doubt in the spring. The NFL has targeted flag as a key project to expand participation in the game with less issues over injury and a way to involve women as football players.

TMRW developed the TGL golf league, among other projects.

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FOOTBALL: U.S. solves Australia in Seattle for 2-0 FIFA World Cup win, wins group as Turkey loses

By
Rich Perelman
-

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

Four matches on Friday, but U.S. fans were focused on the opener in Seattle and some history for the American team.

● Group D: United States 2, Australia 0 ● Lumen Field in Seattle was loud for the U.S. and got an early reason to cheer with strong American pressure on goal, even without injured midfielder Christian Pulisic.

In the 11th, striker Folarin Balogun drove down the left side of the field and sent a dangerous cross into the box, aiming for an onrushing striker Ricardo Pepi. But defender Cameron Burgess intercepted the ball, which flew off his foot into the net for an own goal and a 1-0 lead!

The Australians were hardly impressed and pushed their own attack forward, but were not able to score by the hydration break. The Americans had 63% possession in the “first quarter” and a 5-2 shots edge.

The U.S. kept pushing against a packed-in Australian defense, and late in the half, defender Sergino Dest sent a lined shot from above the box which was blocked and flew up into the air. It moved toward the Australian goal and defender Alex Freeman headed it in around keeper Patrick Beach for a 2-0 lead in the 43rd. The goal was initially disallowed for offsides, but a video review confirmed the score.

Dest got another shot from the top of the box that Beach stopped at 45+5 as the half ended. The domination was complete: 70% possession and 9-2 on shots.

Australia was looking for goals, but the U.S. remained with most of possession, but neither had exceptional scoring chances. A U.S. turnover turned into a shot for the Socceroos in the 65th for midfielder Connor Metcalfe from the top of the box that was saved by U.S. keeper Matt Freese. American possession was down to 68% possession at the hydro break, but up 10-4 on shots.

The Aussies were all over the U.S. zone in the 82nd for several minutes, got a good shot at goal in the 85th that was blocked and a rebound that was deflected before a goal kick was declared. It got physical in the 88th with pushing and shoving in the midfield – and some yellow cards – in a choppy second half. What looked like a breakaway chance for Balogun at 90+3 was missed on an errant pass by midfielder Malik Tillman. That was followed by referee Felix Zwayer (GER) falling to the turf for a cramp, but he returned quickly.

It ended 2-0 and the U.S. clinched a spot in the playoffs, with 62% possession and a 10-5 shots edge. It’s the first time since 1930 that the U.S. has won two World Cup games in a row. It was also the first U.S. shutout after giving up a goal for the last nine games in a row.

At 2-0, the U.S. has beaten two teams it defeated in friendlies in 2025. The last U.S. group game is against Turkey – which beat the U.S., 2-1, in a friendly in June 2025 – on Thursday, in Inglewood, California.

● Group D: Paraguay 1, Turkey 0 ● A stunning opening in Santa Clara, California, as Paraguay won the ball early, leading to a touch from midfielder Julio Enciso to midfielder Matias Galarza and then a smash from the top of the box at 1:05 that flew into the net for a 1-0 lead! Wow!

Turkey took possession after that and had the ball mostly in the Paraguay zone, but could not get past the packed-in defense. By the hydro break, Turkey had 82% possession in the game and was 5-3 on shots, but trailing.

Turkey’s pressure was unrelenting, but quality shots were hard to come by. In the 35th, however, a free kick by midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu from the right side was headed by defender Mert Muldur from the top of the box right off the crossbar and caromed away from the Paraguay goal.

Paraguay had a couple of charges after 40 minutes, but then the game changed into stoppage time, as forward Miguel Almiron was dismissed – red carded – for covering his mouth while talking to an opponent, a new rule this year. He was simply standing and talking to Muldur while play was stopped for a foul. Now, Paraguay plays with 10.

The half ended with 77% Turkish possession and a 12-4 shots edge. And no goals.

Turkey was on offense to start the second half as Paraguay was in a defensive shell. Shots were saved, blocked, kicked, headed away and sailed wide of the goal. And Paraguay made the occasional counterattack. By the hydro break, it was 80-20% for Turkey in possession and 19-5 on shots. And still nothing.

Paraguay almost scored on an Enciso free kick in the 85th, and actually played a little offense in the Turkish end, an excellent way to consume time. Turkey almost got even in the 89th on a good rush on the right side, and a cross led to a hard shot by midfielder Can Uzun that was saved by Paraguay keeper Orlando Gil and then a rebound that was shot wide by striker Deniz Gul (who was likely offsides anyway). A header by defender Merih Demiral missed wide in the 97th and a final shot went wide and that was it. Turkey ended with 79% possession and 32 shots to 7 and are eliminated from advancing. Incredible.

With the Turkish loss, the U.S. has won the group and will host a round-of-32 game on 1 July in Santa Clara.

● Group C: Morocco 1, Scotland 0 ● At Foxborough, Massachusetts, Morocco was looking for a hot start after its opening draw with Brazil and got it in the second minute (actually 71 seconds in), with a long lead over the top of the Scot defense and striker Ismael Saibari raced down the right side and struck a right-footed rocket from the right of goal that flew in for a 1-0 lead!

Morocco had control of the game into the hydration break, with 64% of possession and two shots to none for Scotland. But the Scots came on with some dangerous passing and a good set-up in the Moroccan zone in the final 10 minutes of the half … but no goals. Morocco went to the break with 62% possession and a 5-2 shots edge, but also nervous.

The second half started with end-to-end challenges in the first five minutes and Scottish keeper Angus Gunn had to make a quick save on a header by Moroccan midfielder Bilal El Khannouss in the 52nd. Scotland started to press after the 60th and midfielder Ryan Christie barely missed a shot from the top of the box in the 63rd. At the hydro break, Morocco had 63% possession abnd a 9-3 shots advantage.

The Scots attacked furiously in the final 10 minutes and in stoppage time, but could not score and it ended 1-0. Morocco ended with 59% possession and a 12-6 shots edge. But it was a very close thing.

● Group C: Brazil 3. Haiti 0 ● What Brazilian team would show up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Friday night? Their offense didn’t do much in the 1-1 draw with Morocco, but immediately did better against Haiti as striker Raphinha scored in the 12th minute on a left-footed screamer, but it was called back for offsides.

As expected, Brazil kept coming and striker Vinicius Junior sent a hard strike from the left side with his favored right foot that was fought off by Haiti keeper Johny Placide. But the ball rebounded straight out and a swipe by defender Hannes Delcroix deflected the ball off striker Matheus Cunha and into the net for the 1-0 lead in the 23rd.

At the hydro break in the 27th, Brazil had 63% penetration and 4-0 on shots. Brazil showed what it can do in the 36th, with a breakaway by Vinicius Junior in the midfield, with Cunha moving to the left side, then setting up a left-footed cutback into the right side of the net for 2-0.

It went to 3-0 in the 45+3, as Vinicius got loose on the left side on a ball over the defense by midfielder Lucas Paqueta, was all alone on a breakaway and sent a low liner over the leg of Placide to the right side of the goal. The half ended with Brazil at 62% and 6-0 on shots.

The “third quarter” had Haiti with more offense, but still no goals, although Brazil keeper Alisson had to make a fast save on a header by defender Ricardo Ade in the 63rd. No goals for Brazil, either and at the hydro break, Haiti had closed to 40-60 on possession and 6-4 on shots.

There were no more goals, with Haiti scrapping to score, but Brazil held firm. Brazil finished with 56% possession and shots were 8-8 at the end. Haiti, with two losses, was eliminated from advancement.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone suffered two broken bones in his left leg after a tackle-from-behind during Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar. The injury came on a tackle by midfielder Assim Madibo in the 51st minute, for which he received a red card.

Kone had surgery on Thursday night in Vancouver, with metal plates inserted to aid recovery.

Ticket glitches are to be expected in a once-per-four-years event, but it does not make those who can’t attend any less upset. The Associated Press reported Friday on resale ticket delivery issues on StubHub, VividSeats and SeatGeek.

FIFA reported fan festival attendance of 1,992,302 through the first round (24) of group-stage games. The largest crowds have been in Mexico with “cumulative attendance figures of 527,100, 244,710 and 218,424 in Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara respectively.”

That’s 990,234 in total from three sites, or 49.7% of the 16-sites total.

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ATHLETICS: U.S. wins for Tinch and Wiley and world leads for Pichardo, Zapletalova and Velazco at Doha Diamond League

By
Rich Perelman
-
World 110 m hurdles champ Cordell Tinch of the U.S. after his win at the 2026 Doha Diamond League (Photo: Marta Gorczynska for Diamond League AG).

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≡ DOHA DIAMOND LEAGUE ≡

Originally scheduled for 8 May, the annual Doha Diamond League was moved to Friday due to the Middle East conflicts, but had three world-leading performances during an energetic show despite temperatures of more than 90 F during the meet:

● Men/Triple Jump: 17.71 m (58-1 1/4), Pedro Pichardo (POR)
● Women/400 m hurdles: 52.30, Emma Zapaletalova (SVK)
● Women/Triple Jump: 15.13 m (49-7 3/4), Davisleydis Velazco (CUB)

Pichardo, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champ, blasted to the world lead with his winning 17.71 m (58-1 1/4) jump in the second round, but that was in response to a new world lead in the first round from Jamaica’s Jordan Scott, at 17.69 m (58-0 1/2)! Pichardo added a 17.56 m (57-7 1/2) in round three just for good measure.

Zapletalova, the 2025 Worlds bronze winner, has been the revelation of the the 400 hurdles so far this season and took over this race by the sixth hurdle and moved away cleanly for a world-leading lifetime best of 52.30. Jamaica’s Rushell Clayton, a two-time Worlds bronzer herself, came on in the second half to get second at 53.05, still no. 3 on the 2026 world list.

Cuba’s Davisleydis Velazco, the world leader in the women’s triple jump at 14.85 m (48-8 3/4), had a sensational day, but she needed to. Her world lead evaporated as countrywoman Leyanis Perez jumped 14.97 m (49-1 1/2) in round two to take the lead. Velazco equaled her in round four at 14.97 m and then won with a clutch lifetime best of 15.13 m (49-7 3/4) in round five! She’s now no. 17 on the all-time list.

The U.S. got a couple of wins:

In the men’s 110 m hurdles, rising U.S. star Jamal Britt got out well, but had trouble with the ninth hurdle and World Champion Cordell Tinch came on to get the win in a modest 13.23 (+1.4) over Spain’s Asier Martinez (13.27), who also was hitting hurdles, but came from fourth on the run-in. Britt ended up in eighth at 13.85.

American Addy Wiley, the World Indoor bronze winner, took the lead in the women’s 800 with 300 m to go, moving past 2019 World Champion Halimah Naakayi (UGA). Ethiopia’s 2024 World Indoor champ Tsige Duguma rolled into second into the final turn, but Wiley held on to the finish and won in 1:57.98 to 1:58.08 for Duguma and 1:58.41 for Nakaayi.

Elsewhere:

The men’s 200 m saw South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile motoring into the lead off the turn and winning in a lifetime best 19.74 (+1.8) to move to no. 4 on the 2026 world list. Zimbabwe’s Maka Charamba was a clear second in 19.88, ahead of Alex Ogando (DOM: 19.96). American Kyree King was sixth in 20.38.

The Steeple started at a strong pace with Kenyan Abraham Kibiwott in front at 2,000 m, but Olympic champ Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR) lurking in third. El Bakkali took over with 500 m to go with Samuel Firewu (ETH) chasing, but in vain. El Bakkali won convincingly in 8:09.28 – with 90 F temperatures at the finish – with Firewu at 8:10.44 and Daniel Arce (ESP) third in 8:13.35.

The crowd was pretty lively despite the heat and roared for national hero and Tokyo Olympic champ Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT) in the men’s high jump, which got serious at 2.24 m (7-4 1/4), where he, 2025 Euro Indoor bronzer Matteo Sioli (ITA) and Ukraine’s Oleh Doroshchuk were the only one to clear. At 2.27 m, Doroshchuk missed, and the others cleared right away; at 2.29 m (7-6), only Sioli could clear and he was the winner, with Barshim second.

In the vault, Greek World silver winner Emmanouil Karalis jumped to the lead at 5.92 m (19-5) on his second try, matched by American Tokyo 2020 silver winner Chris Nilsen on his third try, and Norway’s 2023 Euro Indoor champ Sondre Gottormsen. No one could clear 6.02 m (19-9), so Karalis took the win on misses, with Nilsen second. Fellow American stars Sam Kendricks and KC Lightfoot went 4-5 at 5.82 m (19-1).

Two-time World Champion Anderson Peters (GRN) took the lead in the men’s javelin in the second round at 86.38 m (283-5), only to see the season’s breakout star, Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage take over at 88.68 m (290-11) in round four. American Curtis Thompson, the 2025 Worlds bronzer, was third at 85.99 m (282-11), a seasonal best.

Jamaica’s Kemba Nelson got to the front of the women’s 100 m by 40 m and won in a fast but wind-aided 10.88 (+2.5 m/s), taking over from Italy’s Zaynab Dosso, who got second in 11.01w.

Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino (DOM) was in charge of the women’s 400 m almost from the start and forged a solid lead to win in 48.91, moving to no. 2 in the world for 2026. Poland’s Natalia Bukowiecka was a distant second in 50.10; American Paris Peoples was sixth in 51.27.

World leader Birke Haylom (ETH) was the only one to go with the pacer in the women’s 1500 m and ran alone to the finish in 3:59.89. Fellow Ethiopians Saron Berhe and Haregeweyni Kalayu were 2-3 but well behind in 4:02.61 to 4:03.56.

The women’s 5,000 m had 18 entrants, of which 14 were from Ethiopia! The race stayed close and by the bell, it was Asayech Ayichew (ETH) in the lead, but then 2024 All-African Games champ Medina Eisa ran to the front, chased by Lemlem Nibret (ETH). Fantaye Belayneh (ETH) was moving up to challenge into the final turn, but crashed and split up the race. Eisa took over again into the straight and won in 14:53.91, ahead of a final dash from countrywomen Likina Amebaw (14:54.37) and Marta Alemayo (14:55.65).

Next on the Diamond League circuit is the Meeting de Paris on 28 June.

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FOOTBALL: Canada roughs up Qatar, 6-0, in Vancouver as Swiss beat Bosnia-Herzegovina. 4-1, sets up Group B showdown; Mexico wins Group A

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

Thursday marked the start of the second round of games in the group stage, with two absolute routs in Group B.

● Group A: Czech Republic 1, South Africa 1 ● The Czechs got going right away in this game in Atlanta with a terrific cross from the right side of the field in the sixth minute by striker Adam Hlozek that found midfielder Alexandr Sojka at the top of the box. He popped it down to midfielder Michal Sadilek, who fired a hard shot back to the right of the South African goal that got between the defenders for a 1-0 lead.

The half ended that way, with South Africa controlling possession at 63% and both sides with five shots.

South Africa kept pushing in the second half, but the Czechs were better on offense; at the break, possession was down to 61%, but the Czechs had an 11-8 edge on shots.

The South African frustration was palpable, but they finally got a break in the 81st, when midfielder Pavel Sulc was called for a “hand ball” penalty when striker Thapelo Maseko‘s shot hit him in the right arm, inside the box. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena took the penalty and slammed the ball into the left side of the net without issue, to tie the game.

Both sides rushed forward in the final minutes and the seven minutes of stoppage time, but it ended 1-1 and both teams maintain a chance to advance (both now 0-1-1: 1 point). South Africa ended with 62% of possession and its late flurry gave it a 17-14 shots edge.

● Group A: Mexico 1, South Korea 0 ● The match in Guadalajara (MEX) was a tight, technical battle in the first half, with no score and just five total shots, three by Mexico, which had the best chance on a header by forward Julian Quinones that was saved by keeper Seung-gyu Kim in the 20th. The Koreans had 51% possession.

The second half started similarly, but Mexico finally broke through in the 51st on a mistake, as striker Raul Jimenez sent a header in the box that Kim saved, but he dropped it and midfielder Luis Romo sent it into the net on the fly for the 1-0 lead.

The hydro break showed that Mexico had four shots to none for Korea in the “third quarter,” despite 65% Korean possession. Jimenez almost put the game away with a strike in the 74th that was saved by Kim.

The Koreans almost got even in the 87th, with striker Gue-sung Cho shooting a header at point-blank range that was saved by Mexican keeper Raul Rangel, then midfielder Hyun-jan Yang swiped at it and Rangel batted it away, and somehow kept it from charging midfielder Hyeon-gyu Oh, ready to finish on a rebound!

Korea was all in through stoppage time, but it ended 1-0, with eight shots apiece and the Koreans with 58% possession. It sends Mexico (2-0) through as the winners of Group A, the first team into the final 32.

● Group B: Switzerland 4, Bosnia & Herzegovina 1 ● This was a tightly-played match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, with the Swiss in control of the ball and the Bosnians looking for counterattack possibilities.

Both defenses held through the first half, 0-0, with the Swiss at 69% possession and a 4-3 edge on shots, with a better Bosnian attack after the hydration break.

A spectacular moment of the second half came in the 55th, as Swiss striker Dan Ndoye blasted a bicycle kick at Bosnian keeper Nikola Vasilj from just a few yards away, but the keeper saved it with a lightning punch. As spectacular as the exchange was, Ndoye was called for offsides.

The offenses were more able in the “third period” with five total shots and a good strike from Bosnian defender Amar Dedic, whose rifled shot from distance required a concentrated save from Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel. The Swiss had an 8-4 edge at the hydro break.

The Swiss pressure built after the break and finally paid off in the 74th, as a cross into the box was blocked, re-sent and headed for a clearance. But it stayed in the middle of the box and substitute midfielder Johan Manzambi – who came in for Ndoye just three minutes earlier – went into the air and crushed a right-foot volley into the upper part of the net for the 1-0 lead!

Bosnia’s problems were increased in the 80th, as Swiss striker Breel Embolo was streaking forward with the ball on a breakaway and was comprehensively tackled just before the box by defender Tarik Muharemovic, earning a red card, and leaving the Bosnians to play with 10.

With the man advantage, the Swiss clinched in the 84th, as Embolo sent a cross just inside the box from right to left and midfielder Ruben Vargas smashed the ball back to the right and into the net for the 2-0 lead. Vargas passed back into the middle of the box and an onrushing Manzambi slammed it in for 3-0 in the 90th.

Off a Bosnian corner, the ball was punched out, but Bosnian sub midfielder Ermin Mahmic ran onto it back near the top of the box and ripped it forward for a goal at 90+3 to cut the lead to 3-1. A foul was called on a late tackle in the box vs. midfielder Djibril Sowat at 90+5 and the penalty was converted by midfiedler Granit Xhaka at 90+5 for the 4-1 final.

The Swiss ended with 62% possession and a 13-5 shots edge. Switzerland is now 1-0-1 in the group (4 points) with Bosnia 0-1-1 and one point.

● Group B: Canada 6, Qatar 0 ● The crowd at B.C. Place in Vancouver was roaring from the start at B.C. Place and they were rewarded early with good Canadian chances and a special goal in the 16th from star scorer Cyle Larin.

A cross from the right side of the field to just beyond the top of the box by defender Alistair Johnston found forward Jonathan David, whose sharp shot was saved by Qatar keeper Mahmoud Abunada. But the rebound popped out and Larin was in the middle of the box to volley it home for the 1-0 lead.

Canada had 69% possession at the break and a 5-2 lead on shots at the hydro break. And then Canada saw more magic in the 29th, as a hard shot from beyond the box by forward Tajon Buchanan was blocked, but it came free, rolling into the middle of the box and was smashed home by striker Jonathan David for a 2-0 lead.

It got worse for Qatar in the 33rd, as Buchanan was rolling toward goal and was pushed down from behind by Qatar defender Homam Ahmed for a red card ejection and a Canadian free kick just behind the 18-yard box.

Canada broke down the Qatar defense again in the 48th, on a cross from Johnston from the right wing to the top of the box to the left of goal, where Larin headed it toward goal and after being saved, the ball came out and David essentially touched it in for the 3-0 lead just before half.

The Canadians had 67% possession and a 14-2 shots edge at the half. In the 51st, as Canadian midfielder Ishmael Kone was injured from behind on a challenge for the ball in the Qatar end by defender Assim Madibo, and was stretchered off, waving to the fans. Madiro received a red card, so Qatar played with nine.

It was 4-0 off a free kick curled around the wall by midfielder Nathan Saliba in the 64th, who then waved Kone’s jersey to the crowd. Canadian possession was up to 74, and 17-2 on shots. There was an own goal against Qatar in the 78th as a drive by sub striker Jacob Shaffelburg was hit by midfielder Mohamed Manai. David got a hat trick at 90+2, , picking up a blocked shot in the box and slamming it in.

Canada finished at 78% possession and 33-2 on shots. The Canadians scored a total of two goals in their six World Cup matches (0-6) prior to 2026 and one in its opener, a draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina. Now, Canada  has a World Cup win and they will play  the Swiss for the group win on Wednesday (24th).

≡ PANORAMA ≡

It was noted that the red card handed to Qatar defender Homam Ahmed against Canada was the fifth in the World Cup so far, and a sixth was given to Assim Madibo later. Only four were issued during the entire 2018 and 2022 tournaments. Nine were issued in 2014, 16 in 2010 and the all-time record of 28 in 2006.

It was reported that an employee of the Estadio Banorte – Azteca Stadium – in Mexico City was arrested Wednesday after trying to “rent” his World Cup accreditation on social media for the equivalent of about $150 U.S. online.

Authorities were contacted by an organizing committee staff member about the offer and a 24-year-old man was taken into custody when he appeared to “reactiviate” his credential.

The Kraft Sports and Entertainment group, owners and operators of Gillette Stadium where the World Cup matches are being held, has sued the Town of Foxborough, Massachusetts over $953,640 in fees it paid, claiming the Town “repeatedly misusing its state-granted licensing authority unlawfully to extract funds from Plaintiffs.”

Foxborough repeatedly stated it would not grant a license for the World Cup matches without ensuring reimbursement of all of the costs associated with the World Cup and said in a statement:

“The Town, through its licensing authority, has an obligation to ensure that the costs associated with private events are borne by the entities that conduct and benefit from those events, rather than by Foxborough taxpayers.

“As part of the 2026 Entertainment License issued by the Select Board, the Town implemented provisions requiring Kraft Sports + Entertainment to reimburse the Town for vital public safety and other municipal services necessary to support events held at Gillette Stadium. These services are intended to protect public health and safety and ensure that the Town is adequately prepared to manage large-scale events.”

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PANORAMA: “Alpes 2030″ reveals logo; 774,000 viewers for USATF LA Grand Prix; NCAA T&F Champs sold 88.5% of all available tickets?

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● The famed Paris 2024 electric cauldron will return to the Tuileries Gardens once again for its summer residence, from 21 June – Olympic and Paralympic Day in France – through 14 September.

It will be available to view without reservations from 10 a.m. daily, weather permitting, and open until a variable closing depending on date, from 7:30 to 9:30 in the evenings. Some 2.5 million visitors came to see the “Anniversary Flame” in 2025.

● Olympic Winter Games 2026: Milan Cortina ● The Kazakhstan Ministry of Tourism and Sports said Thursday:

“The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan has adopted a resolution on the payment of cash rewards to Mikhail Shaidorov (figure skating), the winner of the XXV Winter Olympic Games 2026, held in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, and Nadezhda Morozova (speed skating), who was among the top six athletes.

“In accordance with current legislation, the following cash rewards are provided: Mikhail Shaidorov – $250,000, and Nadezhda Morozova – $5,000. Cash bonuses were also paid to the first place, personal coach, and head coach of the medal-winning athletes.”

Morozova finished sixth in the women’s 3,000 m, in her third Olympic Winter Games. Shaidorov said that he also ha a contract with the Ministry which also provides a monthly stipend.

● Olympic Winter Games 2030: French Alps ● The emblems of the “Alpes 2030” Games were revealed on Thursday, using a stylized peak for the Olympic Winter Games and the same peak in white, formed by rays on both sides for the Winter Paralympic Games.

Albertville 1992 Moguls gold medalist Edgar Grospiron, President of the Alpes 2030 Organising Committee, explained:

“The same mountain will unite the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2030.

“That is why our two emblems were conceived as complementary expressions of the same vision. Together, they embody our ambition: to give Olympism and Paralympism the same place, strength and visibility.”

Yes, merchandise with the new marks is already available.

● Anti-Doping ● The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency posted its 2025 annual report, noting 7,441 samples collected from 2,846 athletes, with special emphasis on the Milan Cortina Winter Games, with 1,021 samples collected in the final five months of 2025, from 1,015 athletes across 22 disciplines. The overall total was slightly down from 7,554 in 2024.

Of the total collections, 5,627 were out-of-competition (75.6%); the most tested sports were athletics (1,949), swimming (809) and weightlifting (573). The most tested winter sport was ski & snowboard at 450.

There were 41 sanctions handed out during 2025, including those from prior years. In terms of 2025 violations, 97 initial violations were detected, 27 cases resulted in a sanction, 42 ended with no violations and 28 cases are still pending.

USADA worked with revenues of $24.92 million in 2025 and spent $22.69 million; it had $14.28 million in reserves at the end of the year.

The educational outreach program reached 43,880 athletes and other “stakeholders.” primarily online, but also face-to-face at events.

● Athletics ● U.S. distance icon Jenny Simpson is apparently improving after being rushed to a hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina following a collapse on the track during a mile event. Her pulse was revived and a Wednesday statement from employer Fleet Feet included:

“While Jenny remains under medical care, she has shown encouraging improvement and continues to exhibit the strength and resilience that have long defined her. True to form, she has already asked about her mile time and whether she won.”

NBC reported that the 14 June USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix, with about 1,000 fans in attendance at USC’s Loker Stadium in Los Angeles last Sunday, did well on NBC, with a “Total Audience Delivery of 774K across NBC, Peacock, and NBC Sports digital platforms.”

This is consistent with the 6 June USATF Lone Star Grand Prix in College Station, Texas, with maybe 1,000 in attendance but a television audience of 757,000 across all NBC platforms.

Interestingly, the Los Angeles Grand Prix came a day after the four-day NCAA Championships in Eugene, which averaged 291,500 viewers a day on ESPN or ESPN2.

If you watched the NCAA Track & Field Championships in Eugene last week, you saw loads of empty seats at Hayward Field and whole sections covered with tarpaulins. Continuing scanning of the stands during the meet as shown on ESPN indicated maybe 4,000 in the house at any one time, on any of the days. But ticket sales figures provided by the University of Oregon told a different story:

● 10 June: Capacity 10,830: 8,871 tickets sold
● 11 June: Capacity 10,830: 8,795 tickets sold
● 12 June: Capacity 10,830: 10,956 tickets sold
● 13 June: Capacity 10,830: 9,699 tickets sold

The total is 38,321 or 88.5% of all tickets available, averaging 9,580 daily.

Remarkable. Unexplainable? Optical illusion? What?

● Swimming ● More hot times at the Tyr Pro Swim Series Indianapolis, with Paris Olympic 100 m Back bronzer Katharine Berkoff ripping the fastest time in the world in 2026 with a 27.05 in the women’s 50 m Back preliminaries.

It’s the no. 6 performance in history and just ahead of 100 m Back winner Isabelle Stadden from Wednesday, who swam 27.18 to move to no. 3 on the 2026 world list.

Thursday night finals can be followed on the live-timing site here.

● Table Tennis ● The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) approved the re-entry of Belarusian athletes without restrictions as of 28 July 2026, in line with the International Olympic Committee recommendations.

No change was made in access for Russian senior-level athletes, still required to compete as “neutrals,” as recommended by the IOC.

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FOOTBALL: Kane stars for England in 4-2 win over Croatia in FIFA World Cup; Portugal’s Ronaldo held scoreless in 1-1 draw with D.R. Congo

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

A very busy day in the U.S., Canada and Mexico with a special performance by England striker Harry Kane.

● Group K: Portugal 1, Dem. Rep. of Congo 1 ● Highly-favored Portugal got off to a nice start at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, with forward Pedro Neto sent a cross from the left side into the box and there was midfielder Joao Neves, who headed it into the goal for a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute!

Portugal held as much as 80% possession in the half, but the D.R. Congo midfield was aggressive and the Portuguese had just three shots after 35 minutes. And as the D.R. Congo players showed increased confidence, their pressure increased.

All this paid off at 45+5, as defender Arthur Masuaku’s looping ball into the box from the right side went directly to striker Yoane Wissa for a perfect header from the far left of the goal that sailed right under the crossbar, leaving no chance for Portugal keeper Diogo Costa.

The half ended at 1-1, with Portugal at 80% possession, but D.R. Congo – the Leopards – with six shots to two! Neither side could score in the “third quarter” before the hydration break at 67 minutes. Portugal was down to 78% possession and each side was credited with just one shot apiece.

The defenses were good and the offenses were hardly imaginative, but midfield star Bruno Fernandes got loose near the Leopards’ endline and played the ball back to star scorer Cristiano Ronaldo – he’s 41 now and in his sixth World Cup – in front of goal and he just missed wide right in the 74th.

But neither side could score and it ended 1-1. It was the first-ever goal for D.R. Congo – known as Zaire when it participated in 1974 and lost its three group games by 0-14 – and its first-ever point in the World Cup. Portugal controlled 75% possession but the Leopards had eight shots to seven for Portugal.

● Group K: Colombia 3, Uzbekistan 1 ● he nightcap was played in Mexico City, with Uzbekistan making its World Cup debut. It was mostly Colombia on offense and Uzbekistan on defense for the “first quarter” with the South Americans enjoying 63% of possession and the only shot in the game.

The pace increased slightly after, with more probing by the Colombians and nearly a goal in the 32nd as forward Luis Diaz hit the far post from the left side. Later, Diaz had the ball above the box in the 40th and sent a perfect lead pass to the front of goal and onto the right toe of defender Daniel Munoz, who volleyed it off Uzbek keeper Utkir Yusupov and into the net for the 1-0 lead.

By halftime, Colombia was up to 72% possession and 7-1 to shots, accurate reflection of play.

The Colombians continued in control, but the Uzbekistan counterattacks showed promise. In the 60th, a long pass into Colombia territory ended up with sub forward Dostonbek Khamdamov near the endlne. He executed a perfect cross to the other side of the goal to striker Eldor Shomurodov, whose volley popped up off of Colombian keeper Camilo Vargas and midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev was there to tap it in with his head. 1-1.

The Colombian response was immediate pressure, then after a turnover, midfielder Gustavo Puerta sent a quick pass to his left to Diaz, who sent a right-footed to right side of goal that bounced in off of Yusupov for the 2-1 lead in the 65th. The hydro break followed with Colombia now at 68% possession and shots at 11-3.

The Uzbeks pressured for the equalizer, with midfielder Akmal Mozgovoy shooting over the far side of the goal in the 90th and another chance at 90+2 missed by Shomurodov. Then as Colombia tried to run out the clock, a stunning cross from sub forward Chuco Hernandez near the right sideline flew to the far side of the Uzbek goal and was blasted in at 90+9 with a header by sub midfielder Jaminton Campaz for the 3-1 final.

Uzbekistan had one last blast at 90+10 from defender Behruzjon Karimov that hit the post, but it ended 3-1 with 61% possession for Colombia and 15 shots to eight.

● Group L: England 4, Croatia 2 ● This was one of the most-anticipated group-stage matches, in the giant AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and after a somewhat confused start, the English got possession and on offense after a couple of minutes.

Pressure on the Croatian goal resulted in a corner and forward Noni Madueke was pulled down in the box by Croatian star Luka Modric, resulting in a penalty in the ninth minute.

Star striker Harry Kane’s penalty was straight on and was saved by keeper Dominik Livakovic, but the keeper was off his line early, and the try was re-taken. This time Kane slammed the ball into the far right side of the net for a 1-0 lead in the 12th.

England had 59% possession and a 5-1 shots edge at the hydration break. Both teams had chances in the ensuing play, but a rush by midfielder Petar Susic led to a pass back to an oncoming midfielder Martin Baturina, who one-timed a rocket that rose as it flew into the far left side of the English net in the 36th for the 1-1 tie.

Now the English had more work to do and on a corner from midfielder Declan Rice, the ball curled to Kane, standing just behind the crowd and headed it in, scoring his 10th career World Cup goal, in the 42nd for the 2-1 lead.

In stoppage time, England fell back too deep and a Croatian pass into the box to striker Ivan Perisic on the left side and his headed cross to fellow striker Petar Musa was turned into an immediate goal with a right-footed smash and a 2-2 tie on the final play of the half at 45+5. Croatia had four shots in the half and scored twice; England had nine. With good control after the break, Croatia ended the half with 48% possession.

Just into the second half, English midfielder star Jude Bellingham got hold of the ball on the right side inside midfield, dribbled in and hit a laser from right to left just inside the box that rippled the net for a 3-2 lead just 90 seconds into the half!

Bellingham had another chance a minute later and then defender Nico O’Reilly send a header just wide in the 49th! England was assaulting Livakovic now, and he made three saves in about seven seconds in the 55th and then two more in the 57th; at this point, England has 18 shots to four. At the break at 69 minutes, it was still 18-4 and 56% possession for England.

The clincher came in the 85th, after both teams had chances, but sub striker Marcus Rashford took a right-to-left side pass from sub forward Bukayo Saka, stopped, cut left right and scored on a right-footed screamer to the right side of the net for the 4-2 lead. That was the final, with England at 52% possession and a final shots edge of 22-10.

● Group L: Ghana 1, Panama 0 ● This game in Toronto had modest temps at 66 F but also light rain from the start. This didn’t worry Panama – the Canaleros – who were on the march consistently, with Ghana only able to counterattack.

By the hydration break, Panama had 66% possession and the only two shots in the game, but they kept pressure on Ghana keeper Lawrence Ati Zigi, who was equal to the task with major saves in the 2nd and 38th minutes, and half was scoreless. Panama stayed at 66% possession and had a 3-1 shots lead.

There was more action in the second half and the Ghana offense came alive, getting its first shot in the 48th, which was saved. By the hydro break in the 68th, Panama had 64% possession but the shots – in an increasingly end-to-end game – were 8-5 for the Canaleros, meaning nine shots in 23 minutes compared to four in the first half!

Both sides had chances, but it looked like a 0-0 tie was the mostly likely outcome. In another rush down most of the field at 90+5, it was forward Brandon Thomas-Asante who dribbled down the left side, nearly reached the endline, but sent a line-drive cross through the Panama defense to an onrushing midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi, who slammed home the goal.

That was the winner – 1-0 – despite Panama making a last-ditch effort that had to be saved by Ghana’s second-half keeper Benjamin Asare. Panama ended 62% possession and with a 12-7 edge on shots. But they came away with nothing.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

Awful Announcing noted Monday that the addition of hydration breaks in each half of World Cup games has been an enormous boost for Fox, which paid a reported $485 million – a bargain – for the 2026 rights on a special extension from FIFA before the 2022 World Cup. The Awful Announcing story included:

“The Wall Street Journal reported Fox was selling 30-second ad spots during these hydration breaks at roughly $200,000 for early-round games, and around $750,000 for games featuring the U.S. Men’s National Team.”

Based on this, the story calculations estimated Fox as able to sell from $249.6 million to $332.8 million across the 104-game tournament. Translation: hydration breaks are here to stay, with the U.S. rights now up for sale for 2030 and beyond.

An anonymous Fox executive expressed irritation in a Front Office Sports story that ESPN was not doing much with the World Cup, but Awful Announcing noted that FIFA’s “news access” restrictions limit highlights (1) to a total of two minutes per show, limited only to sports news programs, and not including talk shows, and (2) highlights cannot be shown until the U.S. rights-holder (Fox) coverage ends for the entire day!

ESPN for its part, has added special World Cup programming from its ESPN FC line-up and short news segments – no highlights – on its talk programs.

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SWIMMING: Another American Record for breaststroke revelation Van Mathias on day one of Tyr Pro Swim Indianapolis!

By
Rich Perelman
-
American 50 m Breaststroke record-setter Van Mathias pictured in a 2026 Indiana University graphic.

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≡ TYR PRO SWIM INDIANAPOLIS ≡

No fluke whatsoever. Anyone who doubted the rise of former Indiana swimmer Van Mathias – now the IU swimming Director of Operations after his 50 m Breaststroke American Record of 26.39 at the Bergen Swim Festival in April can forget it.

He did it again.

Mathias led the qualifying in the Tyr Pro Swim Series Indianapolis men’s 50 Breast in 26.53, then rolled in the final to a win in another American Record of 26.30, ahead of fellow American Michael Andrew (26.87).

That replaced Andrew’s U.S. Open record of 26.52 from 2022 and moves him to no. 5 on the all-time list. He is the fastest in the world in 2026.

Also at the top of the 2026 world rankings from Wednesday swims were China’s Yu Yuting, the two-time World Championships bronze winner in the 200 m Medley, and American star Kate Douglass, the 2023 and 2024 World Champion in that event.

Swimming at the Chinese nationals in Shenzhen, Yuting, 20, won the 200 Medley in a world-leading 2:06.82, an Asian record and now no. 6 all-time. In Indianapolis, it was Douglass with a dominant win in 2:07.04, now no. 2 in 2026. That was more than two seconds up on sprint star Torri Huske, in 2:09.59.

Elsewhere on the first of four nights of finals, Freestyle superstar Katie Ledecky won the women’s 1,500 m Freestyle in 15:34.66, the no. 17 performance all-time. American Katie Grimes, the 2022 Worlds runner-up, was second, but well back 16:04.20.

Rio 2016 double Olympic champion Ryan Murphy, 30, trying to gauge whether to continue and chase a home Olympics in 2028, won the men’s 100 m Backstroke in 52.80, over German Kaii Winkler, in 53.22.

American Isabelle Stadden, the 2021 World Short-Course bronze winner in the 200 m Back, won the women’s 100 Back in 51.80 over Paris 2024 bronzer Katharine Berkoff, in 58.20.

In the 200 m Free finals, Anna Peplowski took the women’s win in a lifetime best of 1:55.67 and Patrick Sammon won the men’s final in 1:46.24.

Owen McDonald of the U.S. won the men’s 200 m Medley in 1:58.35, beating Tokyo 2020 men’s 400 m Free bronze winner Kieran Smith (1:58.49). Estonia’s Eneli Jefimova won the women’s 50 Breast in 30.26

The meet continues through Saturday.

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PANORAMA: NCAA T&F Champs on ESPN averaged 291,500; Jenny Simpson collapses, in hospital; iconic Texas A&M T&F coach Henry retires

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Olympic Winter Games 2034: Utah ● The Utah 2034 organizing committee announced a series of personnel shifts to prepare for a more active effort.

Abby Osborne was named as Vice President of Impact, Engagement, and Enterprise Operations and will start on 1 August; she has been the Chief of Staff for the Utah House of Representatives since 2019.

Planning lead Darren Hughes, a member of the 2002 Winter Games organizing committee, will now be the Vice President of Games Delivery, directly responsible for the competitions themselves. Two-time Olympic short track skater Julie Letai will by the Athlete Experience Coordinator.

Leaving Utah 2034 by her own choice is four-time Olympic speed skater Catherine Raney Norman, who chaired the bid committee and was a key early player in community outreach and the amazing development efforts within the Utah community to help get the organizing committee up and running.

● Athletics ● The NCAA Track & Field Championships drew what appeared to be about 4,000 fans a day at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, but did better on television.

ESPN reported that its telecasts on ESPN and ESPN2 – covering a meet with one world record and nine collegiate records – averaged 291,500 across the four days, with higher numbers on Wednesday and Thursday (note the FIFA World Cup started on the 11th and NBA Finals game five was played on the 13th):

● 10 June: ESPN: 324,000 (men day 1)
● 10 June: ESPN2: 77,000 (track events after 11 p.m. Eastern)
● 11 June: ESPN2: 332,000 (women day 1)
● 12 June: ESPN2: 258,000 (men day 2)
● 13 June: ESPN2: 252,000 (women day 2)

In comparison to 2025, day one was a little better and the last three days were down a bit:

● 11 June: ESPN: 317,000
● 11 June: ESPN2: 15,000 (track events after 11 p.m. Eastern)
● 12 June: ESPN: 443,000
● 13 June: ESPN2: 268,000
● 14 June: ESPN2: 298,000

The 2024 telecasts – in an Olympic year – were bigger and did 340,000 viewers on day one (ESPN2), 257,000 on day two (ESPN2), 602,000 on day three (ESPN) and 519,000 on day four (ESPN). The 2023 NCAAs, all on ESPN2, drew 152,000-227,000-176,000-393,000.

American middle-distance star Jenny Simpson, 39, the 2011 World 1,500 m champion and two-time silver medalist, collapsed while pacing a run in Raleigh, North Carolina on Tuesday evening.

LetsRun.com reported that “she was without a pulse for a period of time but that hat she was currently alive and at the hospital. CPR apparently was performed, one online report indicated an AED [automated external defibrillator] was used, and her pulse was restored.”

Texas A&M coach Pat Henry announced his retirement Wednesday after 54 years in coaching and 22 at the school, ending a stunning career in which his teams won 10 NCAA titles, following on the 27 he won while at LSU .

Now 74, his A&M teams won 10 NCAA men’s titles (9 outdoor, 1 indoor) and 27 women’s championships (17 outdoor, 10 indoor) at LSU.

● Ice Hockey ● The International Ice Hockey Federation named American defender Caroline Harvey as its women’s Player of the Year.

In the fourth edition of the award, she was the Olympic tournament’s Most Valuable Player in the U.S.’s gold-medal performance in Milan and received 77.3% of the vote, the most ever.

Swiss forward Alina Muller finished second (9.1%), followed by Laila Edwards (USA: 4.5%) and prior winner Marie-Philip Poulin (CAN: 4.5%); Americans Taylor Heise and Megan Keller also received votes.

● Ski & Snowboard ● U.S. Ski & Snowboard unveiled a busy schedule of 13 FIS World Cup events to be held in the U.S. during the 2026-27 winter season:

● Alpine (5): men’s racing at Copper Mountain and Beaver Creek, Colorado; women’s racing in Killington, Vermont and Beaver Creek, plus the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.

● Freestyle (3): Aerials in Lake Placid, New York, Moguls and Dual Moguls in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, and Aerials-Moguls-Dual Moguls in Deer Valley, Utah.

● Freeski & Snowboard (3): events in Slopestyle and Halfpipe in Copper Mountain and Aspen, Colorado and a site to be announced.

● Ski Jumping (1): in Lake Placid, New York (128 m hill).

One Paralympic World Cup event will be held and the total of 13 is most ever in a season in the U.S.

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FOOTBALL: Mbappe scores two, Haaland scores two, then Messi gets record-tying three in Tuesday’s magical FIFA World Cup day

By
Rich Perelman
-

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

With the two 2022 finalists – France and Argentina – opening play, the Tuesday focus was on superstar scorers Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. Oh yes, Norway’s Erling Haaland was making his World Cup debut. All three were sensational.

Mbappe was brilliant with two goals to give him 14 for his World Cup career, equaling German Gerd Muller (1970-74) and closing in on all-time leader Miroslav Klose (GER: 16 from 2002-14) and Brazil’s Ronaldo with 15 from 1994-2006.

Then came Messi, who got a hat trick to go even with Klose at 16!

● Group I: France 3, Senegal 1 ● For a half, this looked like another problem for an elite team against a lesser opponent at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. But only for a half.

Senegal was the better offensive team from the start and although France had 56% possession in the half, Senegal led on shots by 5-1 and had real chances, notably in the 25th from forward Nicolas Jackson that hit the goal post, and forward Ismaila Sarr, who slammed a ball over the crossbar at 45+6 that looked like a sure score.

But the French were much better in the second half, and came alive almost immediately. Midfielder Michael Olise’s shot had to be saved by keeper Edouard Mendy over the cross bar in the 52nd, and superstar striker Mbappe’s drive in the 57th was blocked by Mendy. An Mbappe drive toward the net in the 59th was stopped on a tackle by forward Sadio Mane that was reviewed for a penalty, but called legal.

Finally, a through-ball by Olise found Mbappe in the middle of the box and ahead of defender Kalidou Koulibaly, and sent a right-footed shot into the left corner of the net for the 1-0 lead in the 66th.

A Senegal goal in the 68th was disallowed for an obvious offside and at the hydration break, the French had five shots in the period vs. none for Senegal.

France seemed to wrap it upin the 82nd, as midfielder Adrien Rabiot sent a seeing-eye pass to striker Bradley Barcola, who moved to his right, found space and chipped the ball over Mendy and into the goal for a 2-0 edge.

But Senegal kept working and at 90+5 they got a goal on a right-side blast off of French keeper Mike Maignan by 18-year-old forward Ibrahim Mbaye to close to 2-1.

But Mbappe had an answer at 90+6, taking a brilliant pass from Olise, running past a defender and hitting a shot that just cleared Mendy’s outstretched hand for a 3-1 lead. It made Mbappe France’s all-time leading goal scorer.

Senegal almost got a goal at 90+10, but the game ended at 3-1, with the French at 54% possession and an 11-6 shots edge, meaning 10-1 in the second half.

● Group I: Norway 3, Iraq 1 ● This match in Foxborough, Massachusetts was about what Haaland, Norway’s wondrous goal scorer might do.

The first part of the game passed with Norway in control, but only four shots (2-2) in the first 25 minutes. But in the 29th, a brilliant cross from the left side by defender Thomas Moller Wolfe landed at the far side of the Iraq goal and there was the 6-5 Haaland to finish for a 1-0 lead.

It was his (amazing) 56th goal in 51 games with the national team.

But the Iraqis also had a weapon to show in forward Aymen Hussein, who demonstrated a brilliant header in the 39th. A pass from forward Ali Jasmin down the left side was crossed into the box by midfielder Amir Al-Ammari and Hussein was ready with a perfect header over two defenders into the net for the 1-1 tie.

A wild play in the 43rd ended up with another Haaland goal, as a ball played back to Iraq keeper Jalal Hassan was handled casually and Haaland caught up to it, slammed it off of Hassan’s leg and when it bounced out, it hit Haaland’s leg and popped into the goal! 2-1.

Iraq almost got the equalizer in stoppage time as defender Akam Hashim just sailed a shot over the crossbar at 45+6! The Iraqis had a 9-6 lead in shots at the half, while Norway maintained 58% possession.

The second half was more defensive, with Norway probing and Iraq trying to find Hussein for a header almost every time in Norway territory. After the hydration break, substitute forward Leo Ostigard headed in a perfect corner by midfielder Martin Odegaard, rolling forward as Haaland was drawing most of the attention.

At 90+6, a terrific cross by Kristoffer Ajer found Haaland for a header from the left of the Iraq goal to the right side of the goal and appeared to be headed in by midfielder Kristian Thorstvedt, but was awarded as an own-goal by Hussein for the 4-1 final. The Norwegians ended with 61% possession and 13-11 on shots; Iraq had only two shots in the second half. .

● Group J: Argentina 3, Algeria 0 ● All eyes were on superstar Messi at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri and he wasted no time, scoring in the sixth minute, but with the goal called back for offsides. Algeria then shockingly took the lead in the eighth, but also called offsides.

Undaunted, Argentina controlled possession and in the 17th, midfielder Rodrigo de Paul played the ball to Messi, who had space to turn at the top of the box and sent a left-footed laser into the far right corner of the net for a 1-0 lead. The half ended that way, and Algeria actually had a 4-3 shots lead.

Argentina remained in control in the second half and an incoming shot by midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was saved by Algerian keeper Luca Zidane, but squirted free and Messi was there to pounce in front of the net for an easy score and a 2-0 lead in the 60th.

Zidane did save against Messi in the 66th, but in the 76th, Messi dribbled into the Algerian zone, passed to sub forward Nico Gonzalez, who sent it back and Messi finished with a strike into the top of the net for a 3-0 lead. And he equaled Klose’s all-time goals record in the World Cup as well, before leaving in the 80th.

Argentina had only 48% possession, and 10 shots to Algeria’s seven, but completely dominated the game.

● Group J: Austria 3, Jordan 1 ● The late-nighter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, was 75% controlled from the start by the Austrians, who scored first on a fabulous right-footed rocket by forward Romano Schmid from the top of the box to the right-side netting in the 20th minute.

Jordan, playing its first-ever World Cup match, saw forward Ali Olwan hit the crossbar in the 22nd and had more offense as the half wore on, but no goals. At the half, Austria had 64% possession, but six shots to eight for Jordan.

Austria seemed to have control of the second half, but in the 50th, Olwan gained possession, dribbled alone past midfield, headed toward the box and lined up and ripped a right-footed hammer that went right into the far side of the net for a 1-1 tie!

Austria appeared to get a break in the 67th on a corner kick which was punched away by Jordan keeper Yazeed Abulaila, but it didn’t clear, fell to Austrian defender Stefan Posch, deflected off of him and fell to forward Marko Arnautovic, who got control and kicked it in! But Posch was called for a “hand ball” and the goal was wiped out.

But after the hydro break, another Austrian corner was headed by Jordan defender Abdallah Nasib, bounced to midfielder Yazan Al-Arab and then into the net for an own goal and a 2-1 lead for Austria in the 76th!

Austria controlled most of the remainder of the game and a right-side shot that went wide from Arnautovic was ruled a penalty at 90+10 in a hand ball by defender Saleem Obaid. Arnautovic took the penalty and buried it to the left at 90+12 for the 3-1 final.

Austria finished at 63% possession and 11-11 on shots, for their first World Cup win since 1998.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

The Iranian team had planned to stay in Southern California after its World Cup opener in Inglewood on Monday against New Zealand, but coach Amir Ghalenoei said the team was ordered back to Tijuana (MEX) by unspecified officials just hours after the game:

“We don’t know why they are returning us, to be honest.

“I think it’s very strange. It seems like others are doing the planning for us. The decision-making for us is being made elsewhere. We were supposed to come two nights before the game, and we were supposed to stay tonight to recover and return tomorrow at lunchtime. We have no idea why. I think our team is perhaps the most oppressed in the World Cup.”

The Iranian team was visited after its match by FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI), who congratulated them on the match and on their road to the World Cup:

“I know what you’re going through, I understand, but you’re stronger than anything You’re sending a message to the whole world. Tonight, you’ve united the entire stadium here behind you, behind Team Melli. You’ve shown it to the world and sent a powerful message. Thank you very much.”

Inside World Football reported that in terms of team sponsorships at the World Cup, adidas has the most with 14 teams, ahead of Nike with 12 and Puma with 11. That’s 37 of the 48

Tunisia named French coach Herve Renard as its coach for the rest of the World Cup, replacing Sabri Lamouchi (FRA), fired after the opening 5-1 loss to Sweden.

Renard has previously coached Morocco and Saudi Arabia; Tunisia’s second match will be on Sunday (21st) against Japan.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee found no insult or violation in the “OK” hand signal flashed by Australian video review referee Shaun Evans before the 14 June match between Germany and Curacao.

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PANORAMA: USADA rips WADA removal of national agencies from large events; Lyles gets world best for 150 m in Ostrava; Williams sisters at Wimbledon!

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Olympic Games 2028: Los Angeles ● Politico reported Tuesday on a new golf tournament being staged by the LA28 organizers and the Trump Administration at the Trump National Golf Course Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes.

This would not be connected to the Games, but a pro-am that would have a high profile. The story noted:

“The prospect of holding a marquee Olympics-adjacent event at a golf course owned by the presidential family’s Trump Organization highlights the extent to which organizers believe maintaining a productive relationship with the White House is essential to delivering a successful Games.”

The Oklahoma state budget agreement for 2026-27 was approved last week and amid the many line items was $15 million aimed at support for the 2028 Olympic Games.

The money is intended for infrastructure improvements and transportation programming, notably temporary seating, broadcasting support, warehouse space, shade and heat mitigation measures and fan amenities.

Temporary lighting company Musco Lighting was announced Tuesday as the “Official Sport Presentation and Broadcast Lighting Provider” of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

Founded in 1976, Musco has been the long-time leader in temporary event lighting and signed an Official Supplier deal in April 1983 with the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee for the 1984 Olympic Games!

● National Olympic Committees ● FrancsJeux.com reported on the merger of the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (BOIC) and the Belgian Paralympic Committee (BPC) to create the Belgian Olympic & Paralympic Committee (COPB) on 1 January 2027.

This will be the sixth combined Olympic-Paralympic national committee, for now including the Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

● Anti-Doping ● The World Anti-Doping Agency Executive Committee met online on Tuesday and reviewed the Working Group report on “operational independence” of National Anti-Doping Organizations.

One of the recommendations was for the use of an “independent entity” to test at major events, including regional games and world championships, which means “the [national anti-doping organization] of the host country will not be involved in the test distribution plan, selection of athletes for testing, certain aspects of sample collection, or results management.

“Rather, these functions will be carried out by an independent, non-partisan body, removing the possibility of an actual or perceived conflict of interest or bias. This independent process is already the preferred model for the Olympic Games, with the [working group] recommending that this policy of independence be applied more strictly and for an extended suite of major events.”

This was immediately panned by U.S. Anti-Doping Agency chief Travis Tygart, who said in a statement:

“WADA leaders’ intent to push aside truly independent National Anti-Doping Organizations and hand control back to sport and sport service providers at major events is a dangerous step backwards and risks compromising the fairness of major events and athletes’ right to fair competition.

“Dressing this up as progress is an attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of clean athletes, fans, and the public who deserve real independence, real accountability, and a system that protects them – not one that protects sport from scrutiny and the global anti-doping watchdog from accountability. As noted in the recent open letter from the White House ONDCP (Office of National Drug Control Policy) Director Sara Carter, this is of particular importance with the Olympic and Paralympic Games coming to the United States in 2028.

“For this to be the response to WADA’s and World Aquatics’ failure to enforce the mandatory rules in the 23 Chinese swimming cases is another slap in the face by WADA leadership to all athletes who commit to competing clean and nations that enforce the rules consistently and fairly.”

The recommendation will require an amendment to the WADA International Standards for testing.

● Athletics ● At the 65th Golden Spike meet in Ostrava (CZE), World 200 m champ Noah Lyles of the U.S. won the 200 m – on a turn – in 14.67, the best ever for a dedicated race at that distance.

He was faster than Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, who ran 14.92 in April; the fastest ever record was 14.44 en route by Usain Bolt (JAM) during his 200 m world record in 2009. On Tuesday, South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile was second in 14.78 and teen Gout Gout (AUS: 14.96) was third.

Swiss star Audrey Werro, who scared the women’s 800 m world record at the Stockholm Diamond League meet, ran the eighth-fastest time in history to win in 1:54.45, ahead of an impressive outdoor debut for former 400 m hurdles champion Femke Broeders-Bol, in 1:57.13.

American Nathan Green led a U.S. 1-2 in the men’s mile in 3:49.44, ahead of Vince Ciattei, in 3:49.51.

Australian Peter Bol won the rarely-run 1,000 m in a world-leading 2:15.13 over Samuel Chapple (NED: 2:15.20) and Marino Boudek (CRO: 2:15:40) and American Hobbs Kessler (2:15.44, now the no. 3 performer in U.S. history).

Brazil’s Matheus Lima won the 400 m hurdles in 47.64, Salah Ben Yazide (MAR) took the men’s Steeple in 8:09.88 with American Carson Williams fifth in 8:16.69 and Lurdes Manuel (CZE) delivered a home win in the women’s 400 m in 49.74.

● Basketball ● No worries for the USA Basketball women’s pipeline as its under-18 team won the U.S.’s 12th straight FIBA AmeriCup over Canada, 90-72, in the final on Monday (15th) in Iraputo (MEX).

Guard Kaleena Smith led the Americans with 26 points and forward Jordyn Palmer had 24.

● Cycling ● At the USA Cycling National Pro Championships in Charleston, West Virginia, defending men’s Time Trial champion Artem Shmidt routed the field for a second straight national title. Starting last, he finished the 33.4 km course in 38:21.88, well ahead of veteran Lawrence Warbasse, at 38:32.06.

Defending champ Emily Ehrlich took the lead in women’s race and finished in the lead at 43:22.46, but coming last was cycling and triathlon Olympian Taylor Knibb, who rushed through the course and won in a dominating 42:37.30. Knibb won back the title she first won in 2024.

● Tennis ● The Williams comeback continues as Venus and Serena Williams received a wild-card Doubles invitation for Wimbledon, an event the sisters have won six times together, in 2000-02-08-09-12-16.

No announcement on a wild-card Singles spot for Serena Williams as yet.

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FOOTBALL: Four games, four ties as Cape Verde “defeats” Spain, 0-0, at FIFA World Cup; Iran plays without incident in L.A.

By
Rich Perelman
-
The 2026 FIFA World Cup “Trionda” ball by adidas (Photo: adidas).

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

One of the reasons to watch the FIFA World Cup is to see the impossible. That happened on Monday!

● Group H: Spain 0, Cape Verde 0 ● European champion Spain was a huge favorite and favored as a possible tournament champion, and Cape Verde was in its first-ever World Cup game.

The match in Atlanta was played almost entirely in the Cape Verde end, against a packed-in defense. Spain completed 734 passes in the game, had 74% possession and a staggering 27 shots to six for Cape Verde. Spain had 12 shots in the first half and increased the pressure with 15 in the second, but faced not just an 11-man defense, but athletic play which saw passes intercepted, headed away and close defending that made enough of a difference to keep Spain scoreless.

The Cape Verde keeper, Vozinha, made seven saves, including pushing a strike by midfielder Pedri over the crossbar in the 39th, although the play was called for offsides. Then in the 41st, a shot by forward Ferran Torres bounced off the crossbar, came straight back into play and striker Mikel Oyarzabal headed it back toward goal, with Vozinha tipping it over the crossbar to end the threat.

Torres had another chance at 45+2, but Vozinha saved the chance, headed for the left corner of the goal.

Spain was completely frustrated in the second half, and had another real chance in the 88th, but Oyarzabal’s shot from in front of goal was barely deflected by diving defender Pico Lopes and sailed over the crossbar.

In the 90th, Cape Verde mounted a dangerous counterattack, and a Kevin Pina shot from 30 yards was deflected out for Cape Verde’s first corner of the game. The corner ended up on the far side of the Spanish goal and was headed by defender Diney Borges, but caught by Spanish keeper Unai Simon.

Beyond the drama and shock, no one should think Spain is not in position to win the World Cup; it was just four years ago in Qatar that Saudi Arabia shocked Argentina, 2-1, in their opener and the Argentines eventually raised the trophy.

● Group H: Saudi Arabia 1, Uruguay 1 ● The first match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida started hot at 91 F and high humidity

Uruguay had 56% of possession to the hydration break and a 3-1 edge on shots, but did not threaten seriously. But there was a serious chance in the 30th, as midfielder Maxi Araujo header the ball to striker Federico Vinas in the middle of the box and he went fully horizontal to send a hard header at the Saudi goal from right in front and Saudi keeper Mohammed Al-Owais reacted perfectly, punching it away with two hands.

The Saudis had a strong chance in the 38th, with defender Abdulelah Al-Amri bringing a corner down in the middle of the box and sending a right-footed shot that was deflected with one hand by Uruguay keeper Fernando Musiera.

But in the 41st, a Saudi corner sailed right to defender Hassan Al-Tambakti for a terrific header right on goal from the middle of the box that was stopped by Musiera. But it came right out to Al-Amri on the rebound, who right-footed it in under Musiera’s outstretched hands for the 1-0 lead.

That’s how the half ended, with Uruguay holding 59% possession, but the shots were 5-5, and the Saudis had the more dangerous chances.

Uruguay went aggressive from the start of the second half, and in the 46th, an elegant service into the box by defender Guillermo Varela came to Vinas in front of box and Al-Owais had to make a hot save once again. In the 60th, it was close again, with a strong strike from midfielder Manuel Ugarte from just beyond the top of the box. It moved left and Al-Owais barely touched it, but forced it off the far goal post!

In the first 24 minutes of the second half, Uruguay out-shot the Saudis by 9-0 and was up to 64% possession for the game, but no goals. The pressure continued and in the 80th minute, another attack resulted in a header from the middle of the box from Vinas that was saved again by Al-Owais, but the rebound came to his right and midfielder Maxi Araujo left-footed it back and into the net for the 1-1 tie.

Uruguay took the first 15 saves of the second half through 40 minutes, and Al-Owais had to do more to keep Saudi Arabia even, with a one-handed stretch save on a liner aimed at the right goal post in the 93rd by midfielder Federico Valverde.

It ended 1-1, with the Saudis barely hanging on at the end, in a game of two halves. Uruguay finished with 67% possession and 28-7 on shots (including 23-2 in the second half).

● Group G: Belgium 1, Egypt 1 ● Temperatures at Lumen Field in Seattle were in the high 80s for the noon start and the Egyptians – the Pharoahs – who were hot early.

Although Belgium was looking for offense early, Egyptian star striker Mohamed Salah sent a cross from the right side and found midfielder Emam Ashour open at the top of the box and with room. So, from 22 yards out, he sent a curling strike right at Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois that moved left and into the net for a 1-0 lead in the 19th. It was the first shot for Egypt in the game.

The Belgians had 58% possession in the half and a 7-4 edge on shot. but Egypt had the best chances and just missed another score on a corner in stoppage time that sailed behind Courtois, but could not be headed in.

The second half drama really started in the 53rd, with a foul on striker Jeremy Doku, leading to a free kick for star Kevin DeBruyne, whose smash from above the box was on target, then curled left and bounced off the left goal post. Immediately after, Egypt had the ball in good position for a header by Salah in the 53rd, that was saved by Courtois as it curled away from him.

In the 66th, long-time Belgian hero Romelu Lukaku came in, and he paid immediate dividends. A seeing-eye cross from the right side by defender Thomas Meunier found Lukaku rushing between two defenders to the goal and between Lukaku and defender Mohamed Hany, it went into the net for the 1-1 tie. Hany was credited with an own goal, but it was due to 6-3 Lukaku.

Egyptian keeper Mostafa Shoubir made a critical save on a well-placed header by defender Brandon Mechele in the 83rd, with Lukaku lurking behind, but Shoubir pushed it away to his left and away from trouble. Lukaku had another chance on a header in the middle of the box in the 87th, but it went over the goal.

The Belgians ended with 54% possession and a 15-14 shots edge, with much of its offense coming late in the game. Both sides will be happy with the point.

● Group G: Iran 2, New Zealand 2 ● The much-discussed Iranian team, headquartered in Tijuana (MEX) and allowed to be in the U.S. for 24 hours on match days only, finally took the field at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California against almost-forgotten New Zealand.

The Iranians were on offense to start, but the Kiwis got organized quickly and in the seventh minute, a long pass was corralled by forward Chris Wood, who passed to midfielder Sarpreet Singh. Singh sent the ball back to Wood, who nudged it forward to striker Elijah Just for a right-footed blast in traffic in the net for a 1-0 lead over the head of Iranian keeper Alireza Beiranvand.

The pro-Iran crowd – with a huge expatriate community in Los Angeles – roared in the 23rd as striker Mehdi Taremi dribbled straight on to the New Zealand goal, unchallenged and wound up for a blistering shot from the top of the box … and hit the right goal post! Even he couldn’t believe it.

The hydration break came in the 24th, with New Zealand at 51% possession and 6-2 on shots. But as has been seen several times already, the break has changed momentum and the Iranians were on offense quickly. From the top of the box, a searching pass by midfielder Saman Ghoddos into the middle found striker Shahriyar Moghanloo, who was only able to shove the ball forward under a challenge. But that was enough to create a chance for defender Ramin Rezaeian to kick it past keeper Max Crocombe for the 1-1 tie.

An Iranian score at 45+4 was called for offsides and the half ended 1-1, with New Zealand at 51% possession and 9-7 on shots.

And the Kiwis were on the prowl to start the second half and Just found Wood heading into the box in the 55th. Wood had space once he received the pass and sent it right back to Just, who sent a right-footed slam over a diving Beiranvand for the 2-1 lead.

Iran finally got into a better offensive look in the 64th and Rezaeian sent an arcing cross into the box, right over a defender and to the head of midfielder Mohammed Mohebbi, who sent a perfect shot to the far post and beyond the reach of Crocombe for a 2-2 tie. By the hydration break at 67 minutes, the shots were 12-10 for New Zealand, and 3-3 in the half of a back-and-forth game.

There was more action, but no serious chances. New Zealand ended with 52% possession but Iran had 17 shots to 14. There were protesters outside SoFi Stadium, but no incidents that impacted the match – of high drama – inside.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

Following its opening 5-1 loss to Sweden on Sunday, Tunisia fired its coach, Sabri Lamouchi (FRA), who had been hired only in January. Beyond the bad performance in the loss – which led to reported dissension in the locker room after the game – questions had already been raised about the presence of Lamouchi’s son at the team’s training camp, and getting into a fight with a Tunisian fan.

Lamouchi coached five games for Tunisia, whose next game is on Sunday vs. Japan.

The Fare Network, a partner of FIFA as a monitor of racist and discriminatory actions, asked for a FIFA World Cup video review officials to be removed for making an “OK” sign in front of his right leg, on television, prior to the Germany-Curacao match. The sign has been identified, in certain contexts, as a white supremacy signal.

Australian official Shaun Evans was seen making the signal from the FIFA video review control center in Dallas.

FIFA said that Somali referee Omar Artan, not allowed to work at the tournament as he was not admitted to the U.S., will receive a full fee from FIFA, as if he had allowed to work.

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OLYMPIC GAMES: ASOIF Governance report offers intimate perspective on International Federations, where size does not always equal quality

By
Rich Perelman
-

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≡ INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS ≡

One of the benefits of the governance reviews undertaken by the umbrella group, the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, is to illustrate the enormous gap between the largest and richest federations and the smallest and poorest.

And yet, there are smaller federations which are also excellent in the governance area.

In the newly-published sixth Governance review, 14 federations were in the highest, “A1″ tier of 210 to 228 points out of a possible 240; seven were in the “A2″ group of 185-209 points; 13 were in the “B” group of 150-184 and then one each in the “B” category for Associate members (International Federation of American Football) and then the new World Boxing group in category “C” at less than 135.

The top scorer, at 228, was World Athletics.

Now a look at a few key figures, remembering that the five added sports for Los Angeles 2028 (Baseball-Softball, Cricket, Flag Football, Lacrosse and Squash) are “Associate Members” and are among the smallest of the federations surveyed.

● Revenue:
The 36 federations surveyed reported annual revenues in Swiss francs (CHF) in six bands (CHGF 1 = $1.26 U.S.):

● 8 had more than CHF 50 million (one Associate Member)
● 5 had CHF 20 to 50 million
● 5 had CHF 8 to 20 million
● 10 had CHF 4 to 8 million
● 5 had CHF 2 to 4 million (one Associate Member)
● 3 had less than CHF 2 million (all Associate Members)

So, 18 of 36 – 50% – had revenues of CHF 8 million or less and only 13 of 36 (36.1%) had annual revenues of CHF 20 million or more. In this context, it is worth remembering that the 28 federations involved in Paris 2024 as sports included by the International Olympic Committee each received an “Olympic dividend” of at least about $18 million each as a share of the IOC’s worldwide television rights sales. The four added sports – Breaking, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing and Surfing – received only token amounts for 2024 but will Skateboarding, Sport Climbing and Surfing will receive full shares for 2028.

By this metric, about half of the federations from Paris 2024 basically survive on the IOC’s television shares.

● Staff:
Another reflection of IF ability and sophistication is staff size and there was a wide disparity:

● 5 had 120 staff or more
● 9 had 50 to 119 staff
● 10 had 20 to 49 staff
● 6 had 10 to 19 staff
● 6 had zero to 9 staff

So, of the 36 federations covered by the survey – those for the sports on the Olympic program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games – 22 (61.1%) had less than 50 people and only five (13.8%) had 120 or more.

That’s an astonishing total of, essentially, “have-not” federations. And yet they are all part of the Olympic Games.

● Performance:
Staff size definitely had an impact on the governance scores, with the big federations – not surprisingly – performing best, based on averaged scores:

● 161 average for IFs of 0-9 staff
● 181 average for IFs of 10-19
● 194 average for IFs of 20-49
● 206 average for IFs of 50-119
● 219 average for IFs with 120+

The report noted exceptions to this grouping, as three federations of 20-49 people – and in the 4-8 million CHF class – were in the A1 scoring group; there were also federations with 50-119 staff who ended up in the B classification, scoring under 185.

It’s a fascinating study, demonstrating that even in 2026, there were four federations which did not publish three years of financial statements and further, 15 of 36 had audited financials to international standards. And four of the 36 federations had no term limits for their elected officials, but all of the Associate Members did.

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PANORAMA: LA28 opens Games volunteer registration on 14 July: U.S. drug policy head rips WADA reforms; five who saw Stones ‘76 AND Tharp ‘26!

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Olympic Games 2028: Los Angeles ● The LA28 organizers said Monday that the Games-time volunteer sign-up portal will open on 14 July 2026, two years ahead of the Olympic opening..

This is different from the prior volunteer “interest” sign-up; an L.A. spokesperson explained:

“To date, more than 300,000 people globally that have expressed interest in participating in LA28’s volunteer program; none have applied as the application for Games-time roles is not yet available.

“On July 14, those who expressed interest will receive an email prompting them to submit and complete an application to be considered for a Games-time role.”

About 60,000 volunteers are expected to be engaged for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

● Anti-Doping ● The head of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, Sara Carter, issued an open letter on Monday to other anti-doping agencies, warning of actions by the World Anti-Doping Agency to weaken, among others, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency:

“In this Open Letter I am writing to all WADA Stakeholders to address a report of the Working Group on the Operational Independence of National Anti-Doping Organizations (the ‘WGOI Report’) that I understand will be relied upon as a basis to weaken the role and effectiveness of operationally independent national anti-doping organizations (NADOs), which includes, the U.S. NADO, USADA.

“The United States considers it vital to the wellbeing of clean athletes to respond promptly and firmly to reject any use of the WGOI Report as a spring board to substantially alter the World Anti-Doping Program to diminish the role of operationally independent NADOs, which would thereby render the World Anti-Doping Program less accountable and transparent than it is today.”

The letter pointed out that the unspecified reform proposals came from a critique of WADA’s performance in the 2021 Chinese swimming mass-positives incident:

“Thus, it is predictable but still deeply ironic that WADA Management’s own conclusion arising from its failure to ensure that its own procedures were followed in the Russian and Chinese situations is to reduce the oversight role of NADOs and impose costly burdens upon them. WADA Management’s recommendations are obviously wrong. The overall impact of WADA’s recommendations would diminish transparency, independence, and checks and balances to the detriment of the global anti-doping system and would undermine confidence in that system for Athletes and Governments.”

An extraordinary meeting of the World Anti-Doping Agency Executive Committee is to be held on Tuesday to discuss recommendations to transfer some roles to an “independent agency.” The U.S. cannot attend as a result of its withholding WADA dues.

● Athletics ● Statistician Tom Casacky points to a ninth collegiate record at the 2026 NCAA Championships last week, with Washington’s Amanda Moll clearing 4.84 m (15-10 1/2) to win, a centimeter higher than sister Hana’s 4.83 m (15-10) in May.

However, the sisters have three higher clearances indoors: 4.91 m (16-1 1/4) by Amanda in 2025, 4.88 m (16-0) by Amanda in 2025 and Hana’s 4.88 m (16-0) indoors in January. He notes, “[t]he NCAA/USTFCCCA don’t have an ‘absolute’ designation” that includes indoor marks.

TSX reader and on-field television coordinator David Glassman pointed out that at least five people were present in Eugene to see Ja’Kobe Tharp’s 12.75 world record in the 110 m hurdles who were also on hand in 1976 to see the last world mark set in an NCAA Championships: Dwight Stones’ 2.31 m (7-7) for Long Beach State.

Stones, of course, was on hand as ESPN’s play-by-play announcer for the meet, plus Ed Miller, the 1976 decathlon winner for Cal; then-Western Kentucky assistant coach Sam Seemes; Arizona State 400 m runner-up Herman Frazier, and Vince Giarrocco, then in high school and now part of the Flash Results timing crew.

Any more?

● Equestrian ● The race for President in the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) is on with the federation stating Monday there are three candidates: Mark Samuel (CAN), Sabrina Ibáñez (ESP) and Jack Huang (TPE).

Samuel served on the FEI Board for 12 years and is Honorary Vice President; Ibanez has been the Secretary-General since 2014 and Huang has been FEI Vice President since 2019.

President Ingmar De Vos (BEL) is finishing his third and final term; elections will be held at the FEI General Assembly on 5 December 2026 in Jiangyin (CHN).

● Sailing ● The World Sailing Council approved by 22-4 (and five abstentions) new regulations in line with recommendations from the International Olympic Committee, reinstating Belarusian athletes and teams, and “clarifying” “that a crew of two persons does not constitute a team.” This allows entries into all of the current Olympic-program events for “neutral” athletes.

Russia continues on restrictions for its senior-level athletes, but – as the IOC suggested – “youth” athletes from Russia will be allowed in youth competitions.

● Skating ● During the International Skating Union Congress in Spain, Russian three-time Olympian Alexander Kibalko was elected as the ISU Vice President for Speed Skating, but none of the four Russian candidates for technical committees figure skating, short track and synchronized skating were elected.

Moreover, the ISU – which has limited Russian participation sine 2022 – said it will consider Russian participation again some time in the future. It was not discussed at the Congress.

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FOOTBALL: Germany crushes Curacao, 7-1, Ivory Coast and Sweden win and the Dutch and Japan tie, 2-2, in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

Two routs and two thrillers on a busy Sunday in the U.S. and Mexico!

● Group E: Germany 7, Curacao 1 ● This was expected to be a mismatch in Houston, and it was. But there was some drama.

The Germans scored on midfielder Felix Nmecha’s shot from the top of the box in the sixth minute for a 1-0 lead, but Curacao scored its first-ever World Cup goal in the 21st on defender Livano Comenencia’s blast from 19 yards with the left foot from the top of the box beat keeper Manuel Neuer to equal at 1-1.

The tie lasted beyond the hydration break, then the Germans got cracking. A cross from defender Nathaniel Brown in the 38th found defender Nico Schlotterbeck for a header to the left corner of the net and a 2-1 lead, then forward Kai Havertsz converted a penalty to the left corner of the net at 45+5 for a 3-1 lead at the half. The Germans had 72% possession and a 16-4 lead on shots.

Any ideas of a comeback were dashed in the 47th, as midfielder Joshua Kimmich’s lead pass allowed midfielder Jamal Musiata to score on a right-footed shot to the far (left) corner of the net; 4-1.

The Germans kept coming as Curacao tired. Brown scored on a right-footed volley off forward Deniz Undav’s pass in the 68th (5-1), then Undav got a goal in the 78th off an assist by Kimmich. The final goal came from Havertsz on a left-footer from the center of the box in the 88th, following a pass from Undav.

In the end, Germany had 65% of possession and a 26-8 shots advantage, as expected.

● Group E: Ivory Coast 1, Ecuador 0 ● The second game of the group was in Philadelphia, with a scoreless first half that was still entertaining. Ecuador had the better chances, slamming two shots off the crossbar, first in the 23rd on a left-footed strike by forward John Yeboah and then by forward Alan Minda in the 30th!

Ecuador had 55% possession in the half and the shots were even at six each, in hot and humid (63%) conditions, with temperatures still at 80 F at the start of the second half.

The crossbar helped Ecuador in the second half as Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi chipped a shot trying to get the ball over the keeper, but it glanced off the woodwork. Both teams found chances, but no goals.

In a back-and-forth game where no one could get the ball on the net when needed, the big break came in the 90th, with a cross from defender Wilfried Singo from the right side to just beyond the top of the box in the middle of the field to Amad Diallo, who sent a left-footed volley ripping into the left corner of the net, beyond a diving keeper Hernan Galindez for the 1-0 lead.

Ecuador finished with 52% possession, but the Ivory Coast – the Elephants – had 15 shots to 12, and the one that counted.

● Group F: Netherlands 2, Japan 2 ● The most-anticipated match of the day was this clash in Dallas and it lived up to the billing. The first half was a struggle, with no score and both teams playing stern defense. While the Dutch had 69% of possession – unusual against Japan – they managed just five shots to three for Japan.

Things picked up pretty quickly in the second half as the Orange found the net, on a header by defender Virgil van Dijk in the 51st, thanks to a service from midfielder Ryan Gravenberch into the box, for a 1-0 lead.

But Japan equalized just six minutes later, with Takefusa Kubo passing from the endline, back to Keito Nakamura at the top of the box, who turned and fired and his shot glanced off the foot of Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke and into the goal: 1-1!

But the Dutch came back in the 64th, as forward Crysencio Summerville had space at the right corner of the box, lined up and sent a left-footed laser to the left side of the Japan net and caromed in off the post for the 2-1 lead.

That looked like a possible game winner, but Japan kept coming and in the 89th, off a corner, forward Koki Ogawa headed the ball forward and it went off the head of midfielder Daichi Kamada – standing in front of him – and flew into the net for the tie!

In the end, the Dutch had 60% of possession overall and the shots were 10-10. Neither will be too upset with this result against a difficult opponent.

● Group F: Sweden 5, Tunisia 1 ● The nightcap in Monterrey (MEX) had the Swedes on fire from the kick and taking the lead in the seventh minute. After a partial clearance by Tunisian keeper Mouhib Chamakh, Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres sent a shot near the top of the box that was blocked by defender Montassar Talbi. It ricocheted out to forward Yasin Ayari, who scored with a lightning smash from the top of the box to the far side of the Tunisian net for a 1-09 lead.

Sweden struck again in the 30th with forward Alexander Isak rolling down the left side of the Tunisian half, turning into the middle of the field and sending another strike to the far side of the net to go up 2-0.

But just before the half, Tunisia got back into the game on a cross from midfielder Hannibal Mejbri right in front of the Swedish goal and headed in by defender Omar Rekik in the 43rd to cut the deficit to 2-1.

But after halftime, the Swedes had more answers, as after a turnover in the Tunisian end, Isak fed the ball forward and to his right to Gyokeres, who lifted it by the keeper and into the goal for a 3-1 lead in the 50th.

And the issue was comprehensively decided in the 84th, as substitute Mattias Svanberg took a back-heel tap from Isak in traffic in front of goal and slammed it into the far side of the net for a 4-1 advantage.

At 90+6, a final strike confirmed Sweden’s dominance, with a brilliant long-distance blast following a turnover by Ayari, who had space beyond the top of the box and left no doubt with the 5-1 win final.

Tunisia actually had 51% of possession, but Sweden had a 13-6 shots edge and all of the quality on the night.

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PANORAMA: Interest poll shows 64% for ‘28 Olympics vs. 50% for FIFA World Cup; ISU shows strong finances, but there are worries

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Olympic Games 2026: Los Angeles ● A Harris Poll survey of 2,148 U.S. adults in a 7-9 May survey showed that 50% of Americans are projected to watch at least one match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament, with 52% saying that having the tournament in the U.S. is a key factor in creating interest.

The breakdown across ages is interesting, with 62% of Millennials (ages 30-45) showing the most attention, followed by Gen Z (14-29) at 57% but only 24% of Baby Boomers (62-80). Interest among American Hispanics is at 63%, but only 37% of Whites.

However, the survey also found that overall interest in the 2028 Olympic Games is at 64% and in response to the question of “which event are you most looking forward to?,” the top response was the 2028 Paralympic Games at 47%, then the 2028 Olympic Games at 35% and the 2026 FIFA World Cup at 20%.

● Athletics ● Two-time World Champion Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) , now 28, has been suspended for four months in an agreement with the Athletics Integrity Unit over the presence of a metabolite of Letrozole (an aromatase inhibitor) in an out-of-competition test on 5 December 2025.

After the positive was noticed, Tsegay “responded a day later explaining that she had been prescribed Letrozole to treat a diagnosed medical condition. She also produced supporting medical documents and evidence.”

In view of this and a subsequent request for a Therapeutic Use Exemption, which was approved, a four-month for a case of “no fault or negligence” was agreed. Her ban runs from 1 June to 30 September, essentially the entire track season.

World Athletics shared that it received the highest score – 228 out of 240 – to lead all federations in the newly-released the governance survey conducted by the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).

The federation was in the “B” band with 113 points out of 200 possible in the initial survey for 2016-17, and World Athletics added 14 points to its 2024 score.

● Skating ● International Skating Union President Jae-Youl Kim (KOR) ran unopposed and was re-elected by acclimation at the ISU Congress in Tenerife (ESP).

The financial report showed stagnation from 2022 to 2024, but big financial gains from the ISU’s more aggressive strategy, creating a surplus in 2024:

● 2022: CHF 35.5 million revenue; net loss of CHF 19.1 million
● 2023: CHF 35.9 million revenue; net loss of CHF 3.6 million
● 2024: CHF 33.6 million revenue; net gain of CHF 25.1 million due to investment gains

The report for the first six months of 2025 reported figures in U.S. dollars now (CHF 1 = $1.25 U.S.), with $22.9 million in revenue, an operating loss of $5.0 million, but spectacular investment gains yielding a surplus of $26.7 million! The forecast for the future (note 2026 was an Olympic Winter Games year):

● 2026: $74.5 million revenue; net surplus of $34.7 million
● 2027: $33.0 million revenue; net loss of $20.1 million
● 2028: $43.6 million revenue; net loss of $16.7 million

Italian Ice Sports Federation chief Andrea Gios, however, shared considerable concerns:

“It is clear that our organization is surviving because of the capital gains on the money we put in the bank in the past. So more or less, we are like a company that is surviving not because of our selling a good product, but because we have the money put in the bank in the past. …

“The problem is that, in the future, what I see is that we have been speaking about the contribution to the athletes, great. Competition contribution, great. But we have to start thinking about the contribution we give to the organizer of the competition, because one of the biggest problems we are suffering as a federation, is that when we organize an event, we lose money.

“We lose a lot of money. And every year, we lose more money and it’s always more difficult to organize events and this is a problem. Because if we can’t organize an event, we can’t have a product that is shown and is a valid volume to get money. So I think, we have to think something about that, because this situation is critical and our federation don’t have the strength – the economic strength – to lose money every year to organize events.”

Kim explained that the ISU strategy is to use its enormous reserves – CHF 263.1 million at the end of 2024 – to revamp its sports through the 2029-30 season and see surpluses beyond that. He noted that the investments in the sports being made now are aimed to help so that “nobody loses money … in the near future,” especially through the ISU’s projects to create new fans and adding value worldwide.

● Swimming ● Swimswam.com reported on a budget update from the 17 April USA Swimming board meeting, showing an increase in sponsorship revenues with the renewal of Tyr Sports as the title sponsor of the Pro Swim Series.

The projected 2026 operating budget deficit of $5.19 million has been reduced now to $2.66 million.

≡ RESULTS ≡

● Archery ● An upset at the World Archery World Cup in Antalya (TUR), as Dhiraj Bommadevara (IND) won the men’s Recurve final over Paris Olympic bronze winner Woo-Seok Lee (KOR), 7-3. The women’s Recurve title went to Jingyi Lee (CHN), in a 7-3 win against Mexico’s Ana Vazquez.

Korea won the men’s title, 5-1 over the U.S. squad of Trenton Cowles, Nicholas D’Amour and Christian Stoddard. China won the women’s Team, 5-3, over Mexico, and India defeated Korea, 5-1, in the Mixed Team final.

Dutch star and 2013 World Champion Mike Schloesser won the men’s Compound title, 149-148 over Mexico’s Sebastian Garcia. Mexican Andrea Becerra, the 2025 World Champion, won the women’s Compound gold in a 146-146 – 10-9 shoot-out – over Colombia’s 2021 World Champion Sara Lopez. China won the men’s Team gold, Turkey won the women’s final and Chinese Taipei took the Mixed Team final.

● Badminton ● At the BWF World Tour Australian Open in Sydney (AUS), third-seeded Alwi Farhan (INA) took the men’s Singles with a 21-13, 21-13 sweep of Tian Yao Dong (CHN), and top-seeded Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) won a difficult battle with Tanvi Sharma (IND), 22-2, 21-18.

Chinese teams won the men’s, women’s and Mixed Doubles.

● Canoe-Kayak ● Olympic and World Champion Jessica Fox (AUS) registered another win at the ICF Slalom World Cup in Augsburg (GER), taking the women’s C-1 final at 107.93 seconds despite a two-second penalty. Spain’s Nuria Vilarrubla was second (110.27/0); American Olympic C-1 medalist Evy Leibfarth was eighth in 113.54 (0).

Germany’s Ricarda Funk, the two-time World Champion, took the women’s K-1 title at 98.68 (0 penalties), beating Camille Prigent (FRA: 99.83/0) and 2025 Worlds winner Klaudia Zwolinska (POL: 101.34/0). Leibfarth was fourth (101.57/0).

Czech Tereza Kneblova won the women’s Kayak Cross with Leibfarth second and Swiss Alena Marx in third. At 22, it’s Leibfarth’s 12th career World Cup medal.

Czech Worlds silver medalist Jacob Krejci won his second straight World Cup men’s K-1 gold in 88.81 (0), ahead of Italy’s 2022 Worlds runner-up Giovanni de Gennaro (90.77/0). Italian Raffaello Ivaldi took the men’s C-1 in 97.51 (0), edging Adam Burgess (GBR: 97.58/0).

Olympic silver winner Joseph Clarke (GBR) took the men’s Kayak Cross over 2025 World Champion David Llorente (ESP).

● Cycling ● The 78th edition of the UCI World Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes race in France saw stage one winner Alex Baudin (FRA) in front through he first five stages, but with Luke Tuckwell (AUS) taking over after finishing third in stage six. He was 11th in Saturday’s seventh stage, and entered Sunday’s final stage with a 42-second lead on American Matteo Jorgenson.

The 120.1 km finale into Brison was brutal, with three major climbs and then an uphill finish and Mexico’s Isaac del Toro broke away with 8 km to go and won the stage in 3:35:07. Tuckwell was eighth at +1:43, so Del Toro won the race in 29:35:05, with Tuckwell second (+0:54), Spain’s Juan Ayuso third (+1:17) and Jorgenson in fourth (+1:36).

Del Toro, 22, has wins this season in the UAE Tour, Tirreno Adriatico and now in France. He is on the rise.

The second edition of the UCI World Tour Copenhagen Sprint in Denmark saw Dutch defending champion Lorena Wiebes come out with another title in a mass sprint at the end of the 156 km, flat route, in 3:41.46. She was just ahead of a pack of nine others with the same time, and countrywoman Charlotte Kool in second.

The 228.2 km Sunday men’s race saw a major crash 18 km from the finish, and then the breakaway group was caught only 500 m from the finish. In the final dash, Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen managed to win over Tobias Andresen (DEN) and Sam Welsford (AUS), all in 4:48:21.

Race three of the UCI BMX World Cup season was in Papendal (NED) with Loris Aeberhard (SUI) taking his first win in 33.948 over Jaymio Brink (NED: 34.164) and American Cameron Wood (34.471). Race four of the series, on Sunday, was a repeat, with Aeberhard timing 34.132 for the win, ahead of Brink (34.428); Wood was fifth.

Dutch star Laura Smulders, the 2018 World Champion, won the women’s Saturday race in 34.427, beating 2025 seasonal bronzer Molly Simpson (CAN: 34.515) and Britain’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic champ Bethany Shriever (34.741).

Shriever won Sunday’s race in 33.839, with 2025 World Champion Saya Sakakibara (AUS) second in 34.388 and Simpson third (34.551).

France enjoyed a men’s 1-2 in the Cross Country Olympic race at the UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Leogang (AUT), with 2021 World Junior Champion Adrien Boichis winning easily in 1:21:09, ahead of Luca Martin (1:21:27) and American Bjorn Riley (1:21:54).

Denmark’s Simon Andreassen won the men’s Short Track race in 22:35 with Swiss Filippo Colombo second in 22:41.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver winner Sina Frei (SUI) took the women’s Short Track in 19:15, beating Rio 2016 Olympic winner Jenny Rissveds (SWE: 19:19). Rissveds came back and won the XCO race in 1:25:29 ahead of Dutch star Puck Pieterse (1:26:25); Sevilla Blunck of the U.S. was fifth (1:27:32).

The Downhill was won by 2024 Worlds bronzer Finn Iles (CAN) in 3:15.647, ahead of two-time Worlds medalist Amaury Pierson (FRA: 3:15.823) in the men’s race and four-time World Champion Valentina Hoell (AUT) dominated the women’s race in 3:44.033, ahead of Marine Cabirou (FRA: 3:47.868) and anna Newkirk of the U.S. (3:48.449).

● Modern Pentathlon ● Two-time Worlds silver medalist Blanka Guzi (HUN) made the home crowd happy at the UIPM World Cup in Budapest (HUN), winning the women’s title with a world-record score of 1,495 in the new format with the Obstacle Run. Consistency was Guzi’s strength, finishing eighth in fencing, sixth in Obstacle, second in swimming and fourth in the Laser Run.

Britain’s Poppy Clark had the second-fastest Laser Run to get into second (1,490) with Laura Heredia (ESP: 1,479) third. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry (ZIM) was on hand to see the event.

German Marvin Dogue won the men’s final, scoring 1,588 with the second-fastest Laser Run, enough to best Ugo Fleurot (FRA: 1,583).

● Rowing ● The U.S. dominated the World Rowing Cup II in Plovdiv (BUL), winning five Olympic-program events and scoring 11 medals!

In the men’s Singles, American Sam Melvin won in 6:39.83, ahead of teammate Jacob Plihal (6:40.10), and Teal Cohen and Kaitlin Knifton won the women’s Pair in 6:50.82. The U.S. won the women’s Quadruple Sculls (6:08.83), and Fours (6:15.75) and the Eights (6:05.13)!

The men’s Double Sculls went to Croatia’s 2016 Olympic gold winners Martin Sinkovic and Valent Sinkovic in 6:00.97; the U.S. was fifth with James Wright and Cedar Cunningham (6:11.61). Italy won the Quadruple Sculls (5:41.00).

New Zealand’s 2025 World Champions Oliver Welch and Benjamin Taylor won the men’s Pairs in 6:09.04, ahead of Americans Augustine Rodriguez and Peter Chatain (6:11.77). China won the Fours in 5:48.64 and Italy won the men’s Eights in 5:22.85 with the U.S. second in 5:27.87.

Serbia’s 2024 European champ Jovana Arsic won the women’s Single Sculls in 7:20.69 with Grace Joyce of the U.S. second in 7:22.21. Italy’s Clara Guerra and Alice Gnatta won the Double Sculls in 6:45.36, with Kristina Wagner and Lauren O’Connor of the U.S. next in 6:47.72.

● Shooting ● At the USA Shooting Rifle nationals in Talladega, Alabama, Peter Fiori won the men’s 10 m Air Rifle title with 252.1 points, over Griffin Lake (251.7), while Isabella Baldwin won the women’s gold at 250.3 with Katlyn Sullivan at 250.0.

In the 50 m Rifle/3 Positions, Lake won the men’s tournament with 356.3 points to 353.9 for Braden Peiser. Cecelia Ossi took the women’s gold, scoring 356.1 to 354.4 for Katie Zaun.

The U.S. national pistol champs in Hillsdale, Michigan last week saw two-time Olympian Nick Mowrer win the men’s 10 m Air Pistol with 1,389.8 points, over Marcus Klemp (1,386.9) and Ryan Adams (1,356.0). The 25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol title went to four-time Olympian Keith Sanderson over Evan Lagerak, 1,164 to 1,127.

The women’s 10 m Air Pistol winner was Suman Sanghera at 1,401.7 over Ada Korkhin (1,390.0), and Sanghera was second in the 25 m Pistol as well, behind Lisa Emmert Traciak, 1,192 to 1,184. Olympian Alexis Lagan was third at 1,174.

● Skateboard ● At the World Skateboarding Tour stop in Rome (ITA), the men’s Park final saw Japan’s Issei Sakurai with the gold, scoring 94.00 on his third of four runs to edge 2025 Worlds bronzer Tom Schaar of the U.S. (93.15 on his first run). Spain’s Egoitz Bijueska, the 2025 World Champion, was third (93.00).

Japan won the women’s division too, with 2025 Worlds runner-up Mizuho Hasegawa scoring a final-run 96.33 to take the victory, over British star – and two-time World Champion – Sky Brown, the leader through the first three rounds (93.38).

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ATHLETICS: Davis-Woodhall stars at USATF L.A. Grand Prix with fab 23-7 1/2 world lead and a 12.47 100H PR; Britt 12.99, Bednarek 9.72w!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Fierce: Olympic women’s long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall of the U.S. (Photo: Christel Saneh for World Athletics).

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≡ USATF L.A. GRAND PRIX ≡

After two editions of the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix at UCLA’s Drake Stadium in 2023 and 2024, the meet moved downtown to USC’s Loker Stadium, with 1,000 or so fans in attendance on a sunny, 80-degree Sunday to see a star-studded field and especially a new double threat:

Olympic women’s long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall.

She started the day with her continuing return to the 100 m hurdles, facing Olympic champion and American-record holder Masai Russell and a field of Olympic finalists. No problem.

Russell dominated the race and won easily in 12.26 (+1.5 m/s), but Davis-Woodhall – who hadn’t run the event since 2021, but returned in May to run 12.99. This time, she crossed in second with a lifetime best of 12.47 – now equal-5th on the 2026 world list – ahead of Olympic fifth-placer Grace Stark at 12.48. Davis-Woodhall’s old best was 12.75 from 2021.

She moved over to the long jump and launched on her first jump out to 7.20 m (23-7 1/2), the world leader in 2026, a lifetime best and now equal-18th on the all-time list. She’s the no. 4 American: only Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Marion Jones and Brittney Reese have jumped further!

Davis-Woodhall wasn’t finished; she sailed out to a wind-aided 7.09 m (23-3 1/4) in round two, then improved again to a windy 7.25 m (23-9 1/2) in round three! In round four, she jumped 7.14 mw (23-5 1/4w), then passed in round five and finished at 6.85 mw (22-5 3/4w). Wow.

Monae Nichols, the 2024 World Indoor runner-up, got out to 6.81 mw (22-4 1/4w) in round four for second.

The men’s 100 was set up as a showdown between Olympic 200 m stars Letsile Tebogo (BOT) and silver medalist Kenny Bednarek of the U.S., but it was 2019 World Champion Christian Coleman who had (usual) best start. But Bednarek moved up and got the lead by mid-race and won in a wind-aided 9.72 (+2.4 m/s). Coleman was a clear second in 9.84w and Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu (9.88w) was third. Tebogo was fifth in 9.95w.

Greece’s George Franks – he changed allegiance from the U.S. in 2025 – had the lead off the turn in the men’s 400 m, but it was Chris Bailey who came hard on the straight and won going away in 44.57. Franks remained second (45.21) with Bryce Deadmon third in 45.34 and 2012 Olympic champ Kirani James (GRN: 45.35) in fourth (he’s 33 now).

Britain’s 2023 World 1,500 champ Josh Kerr took the lead in the men’s 800 m at the bell and had 2 m on the field with 200 m left, but it was Paris Olympian Brandon Miller who rolled into the lead onto the straight and won easily in 1:43.94! Handal Roban (VIN) and former World Champion Donavan Brazier of the U.S. passed Kerr for second, 1:45.32 and 1:45.41 to 1:45.46.

The 3,000 m had Britain’s David Mullarkey taking off with Tshepo Tshite (RSA) with 1,400 m to go and about 10 m up with two laps to go. They were 1-2 at the bell and up by 25 m, then Tshite took over with 300 m left. He opened 5 m on Mullarkey into the straight, then World 5,000 m champ Cole Hocker started a full sprint around the turn. He got close, but Tshite won in 7:37.57 and Hocker in 7:37.77 (56.04 last 400). Mullarkey ended up fourth in 7:38.58, a lifetime best.

Worlds silver winner in 2022, Trey Cunningham got the best start in the 110 m hurdles and looked strong through nine hurdles. But Jamal Britt moved up right next to him in the second half of the race and broke free on the run-in and got a lifetime best of 12.99 (-0.1 m/s)! Cunningham was second in 13.03 and World Champion Cordell Tinch was third in 13.15. Britt is the 32nd man to run under 13 seconds and 20th American.

In the shot, Olympic bronze winner Rajindra Campbell (JAM) took the lead in round one at 21.67 (71-1 1/4) and then extended in round three to 21.81 m (71-6 3/4). He finished with a sixth-round 21.94 m (71-11 3/4) for the win. Jordan Geist of the U.S., the 2026 World Indoor runner-up, moved into second in the second round and reached 21.76 m (71-4 3/4) in round three. Two-time World Champion Joe Kovacs also hot 21.76 m, but ended up third on secondary mark.

Sha’Carri Richardson, the 2023 World Champion, was the center of attention in the women’s 100 m, opening her U.S. season by taking charge in the final third of the race to win in 10.99 (-0.2 m/s), over Kayla White (11.08) and Tamari Davis (11.11).

Paris Olympian Favour Ofili (NGR) was strong off the start and got to the lead and did not give it up and won decisively in 22.45, with Gemima Joseph (FRA: 22.88) in second.

American Aaliyah Butler, the 2025 NCAA champ, went to the front on the backstraight of the women’s 400 m and held off a challenge from Nigeria’s Ella Onojuvwevwo, to win in 49.90 to 50.25. Alexis Holmes, the 2025 World Indoor runner-up, came up for third in 51.08.

The women’s 1,500 m had World Indoor 3,000 m silver winner Emily Mackay taking over from the pacer and took the bell with a small lead, which she maintained into the final straight. And Mackay had the most left and moved smartly to the line in 3:59.26. Britain’s Katie Snowden was second in 4:00.97.

Emma Coburn, the 2017 World Champion and now returned to the Steeple, was in the field, but Gabi Jennings took the lead after the pacer retired, over 2025 U.S. champ Lexy Halladay. No one could catch her and Jennings won convincingly in 9:11.72. Halladay was second in 9:22.89 and Coburn finished fourth in 9:29.38. Jennings remains no. 9 on the world list for 2026.

Two former USC stars, Rio 2016 Olympic 400 m hurdles champion Dalilah Muhammad and Paris 2024 runner-up Anna Cockrell headlined the final race, and Cockrell had the lead almost from the start. She led over the 10th hurdle, with Muhammad coming up to challenge, but Cockrell won it in 53.43, with Muhammad at 53.65. And Muhammad said 2026 will be her last year.

Two-time World Champion Chase Jackson got out to 20.53 m (67-4 1/4) in the first round of the women’s shot, with two-time World Indoor champ Sarah Mitton (CAN) at 20.15 m (66-1 1/2) in second most of the way, but with her best in the sixth round.

Olympic and World Champion Valarie Sion of the U.S. grabbed hold of the women’s discus with a 68.46 m (224-7) first-round throw and was unchallenged. Even so, she improved to 69.15 m (226-10) in round five for the winning mark. Worlds silver medalist Jorinde van Klinken (NED) hit 64.95 m (213-1) in the first round, but could not improve and got passed for second in the final round by American Erika Beistle at 65.02 m (213-4).

In the Saturday distance races, the top marks were in the hammer, where 2022 women’s World Champion Brooke Anderson moved to no. 3 in the world for 2026, winning at 79.09 (259-5) ahead of 2019 World Champion DeAnna Price (77.71 m/254-11). Olympic champ Cam Rogers was fourth at 76.50 m (251-0).

France’s Yves Chaussinand took the men’s world lead with a national record of 82.44 m (270-6, ahead of Olympic bronzer Mykhaylo Kokhan (UKR: 82.38 m/270-3) and Rudy Winkler of the U.S. (80.453 m/263-10).

On the track, Yusuf Biziman (GBR) had the fastest men’s 800 m at 1:45.88 and U.S. 1,500 m star Nikki Hiltz won the fastest women’s 800 m in 1:59.14.

Ethan Strand, the 2025 NCAA runner-up, was third at the bell, second with 200 m to go then rushed on the straight to win the men’s 1,500 m in 3:33.71 over Abel Teffra (3:34.08). Yasin Sado won the men’s Steeple with a lifetime best of 8:15.78 and Abdi Nur won the 5,000 at 13:07.46 from Thomas Radcliffe (13:08.50 lifetime best).

Taryn Parks took the fastest women’s 1,500 m section in 4:09.02 and Paris Olympian Parker Valby continued her return tour with a win in the 5,000 m at 14:39.88, a lifetime best and winning by almost 22 seconds! Valby moves up to no. 8 all-time U.S., taking almost 10 seconds off her then-best 14:49.41 race in May.

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FOOTBALL: FIFA World Cup shocker as Australia slays Turkey, plus 1-1 ties for Swiss and Qatar, and Brazil and Morocco!

By
Rich Perelman
-

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

Day three of the 2026 FIFA World Cup offered a full schedule of four matches, starting at noon Eastern time and not finishing until after 2 a.m. on Sunday!

● Group B: Switzerland 1, Qatar 1 ● The Swiss were on offense right away in Santa Clara, California with two scoring chances for forward Dan Ndoye in the 6th (saved) and the 10th, shooting over the goal.

In the 14th, however, Swiss forward Breel Embolo headed down a pass for midfielder Remo Frueler, who was fouled by Qatar keeper Mahmoud Abunada with a fist in the box. After a video review, it was Embolo taking the penalty and scoring with a shot to the bottom left corner for the 1-0 lead.

The Swiss had a couple more serious opportunities in the half, but it stayed 1-0. Qatar’s chances were few and in the second half, the Swiss missed five shots – one on goal – in the first 25 minutes of the half. Embolo shot just wide in the 76th and midfielder Johan Manzambi went wide in the 81st.

Qatar had not done much at all, but kept working and at 90+4, a stunner as forward Ahmed Al-Ganehi sent a perfect cross toward defender Boualem Khoukhi, who headed it in, later re-classified as an own goal off of Swiss defender Miro Muheim. It ended, unbelievably, at 1-1.

The Swiss had 68% possession in the game and piled up 26 shots to six for Qatar, but only one goal for each. It’s Qatar’s first-ever World Cup point.

● Group C: Brazil 1, Morocco 1 ● The Moroccans, darlings of the 2022 tournament where they reached the semis and finished fourth, were on fire from the start at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, controlling play completely.

And they took a 1-0 lead in the 21st off a through-ball by midfielder Brahim Diaz that found Ismael Saibari between two defenders. With Brazilian keeper Alisson coming off his line to channel, Saibari simply popped it over his head and into the goal for a 1-0 lead.

Morocco continued in control, but following the hydration break, Brazil came to life with more possession and then a pass from midfielder Bruno Guimaraes found the ever-dangerous striker Vinicius Jr. on the left side of the goal. He dribbled to his right, created space and sent a sensational liner into the net for the 1-1 tie in the 32nd!

Brazil had 54% of the possession in the half, but Morocco had 12 shots to six.

The Brazilians had the better of most of the second half, but no goals. The Moroccans put some pressure on Alisson at the very end of stoppage time, but he saved a shot by midfielder Neil El Aynaoui shot at 90+9 and a second chance from forward Ayoube Amaimouni to maintain the tie.

Brazil ended with 51% possession and closed up on shots with 13 to Morocco’s 14 (meaning 7-2 in the second half for Brazil).

● Group C: Scotland 1, Haiti 0 ● Scotland was back in the first World Cup for the first time in 28 years and Haiti returned after a 52-year wait, playing in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Scots had the best of the early going with midfielder Scott McTominay smashing a shot off the goal post in the 17th. Just after the hydration break, midfielder Ben Gannon-Doak took the ball down the right-hand side in the Haiti half and hit a low pass that was attempted to be cleared by keeper Johny Placide, but bounced in front and was knocked in – sort of – by midfielder John McGinn in the 28th for a 1-0 lead.

Haiti nearly got an equalizer in the 34th with a shot by forward Ruben Providence that was stopped by Scot keeper Angus Gunn. The rebound came to Haiti forward Frantzdy Pierrot, but his attempt was foiled by defender Grant Hanley. The half ended 1-0, with Scotland in 55% of possession and with an 8-7 shots lead.

The second half saw relentlessly increasing Haitian pressure. Shots were missed to the right, to the left, over the crossbar, but they kept coming. A header in the 85th by Pierrot went wide with a sure scoring chance, and somehow Scotland held on.

The final statistics demonstrated Haiti’s ownership of the half – except on the scoreboard – ending with a 54-46% edge on possession for the game and a stunning 15-9 advantage on shots. The increasingly physical game saw 44 total fouls – 23 by Haiti, and four yellow cards, with three by the Scots.

● Group D: Australia 2, Turkey 0 ● The Turks had most of the possession early in Vancouver (CAN), but following a save by surprise Aussie keeper Patrick Beach in the 27th – Turkey’s fifth shot in the game – a long pass from the Australia half by midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler found forward Nestory Irankunda on the left side of the field.

Irankunda split two defenders and slammed a left-footed shot that rifled into the net for a 1-0 lead. But the Turks continued in possession for the rest of the half and ended with 69% of possession and a 10-4 edge on shots. But Irankunda’s strike was the difference.

Turkey dominated the second half and put up 13 shots to just four for Australia in the first half-hour of the second half, controlling the ball and setting up a continuing shooting gallery. But no goals.

Then in the 75th, however, Australian midfielder Connor Metcalfe got possession above the box and ripped a left-footed laser that flew from the center of the field into the right side of the net for a 2-0 lead!

Beach caught forward Kerem Akturkoglu’s header in the box in the 77th that looked promising as the Turks resumed camping in the Australian half. Beach saved a dangerous free kick from defender Abdulkerem Bardakci in the 86th, slapping it away to the left of goal.

Australia’s packed-in defense blocked shots, frustrated crosses and headers and smothered Turkey, despite the Turks having 72% possession in the game and a 30-9 (yes, really) edge on shots. Beach had eight saves.

Australia will play the U.S. in Seattle on Friday.

Thursday’s opening day in Mexico City was marred outside the stadium by protesters who took on a police presence before and during the game. Some actually breached the barricades and fought with officers, others smashed car windows and fled on foot.

Agence France Presse reported, “Mexico’s government has faced weeks of protests, mainly by teachers demanding better working conditions.”

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ATHLETICS: Walker beats Hodge in women’s 100, then collegiate records for Hodge (200), Oakley (400), Jallow (800) at NCAA Champs!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Collegiate record-setter in the women’s 100 and 200 m: Georgia’s (and British Virgin Islands’) Adaejah Hodge (Image: University of Georgia).

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≡ NCAA T&F CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

The final day of the 2026 NCAA Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon was devoted to women’s finals, with 15 events and 90 F temperatures at the 5 p.m. start.

Collegiate-record setter Adaejah Hodge (IVB-Georgia) was back after her amazing 10.63 in the qualifying, but it was Jamaica’s Shenese Walker (Florida State) who had the lead by 20 m. Walker, who won the NCAA 60 m Indoor title, kept her form and maintained her lead and Hodge could not catch her, 10.88 to 10.93 (wind; 0.0 m/s)!

LSU’s Shawnti Jackson got third in 11.01. This was just the fourth meet in which Walker ran the 100 m in 2026, including the ACC title, first in the East Regional and now NCAA champion. She’s no. 2 in the world in 2026, behind only Hodge.

Hodge was on a mission in the 200 m and rolled around the straight and held off Jackson in another collegiate record of 21.68 (-0.4 m/s)! That’s a world leader and crushes the 2022 collegiate mark of 21.90 by Kentucky’s Abby Steiner. Jackson was second in 22.12 and Camryn Dickson (Texas A&M) was third in 22.18.

World leader Dejenea Oakley (JAM-Georgia) headlined the 400 m, and she was out well and had the lead with 200 m to go. USC’s Madison Whyte roared into contention with 120 m to go and passed Oakley! They dueled down the straight and Oakley had more left, edging ahead in the final 30 m to win in a collegiate record of 48.79, improving on her world lead. Whyte was second in 48.97, the no. 3 performance in collegiate history and no. 2 in 2026.

Arkansas’ Sanu Jallow (GAM) ran to the front in the 800 m and had a meter lead at the bell and 5 m with 200 m to go. She ran unchallenged to the line and she finished in a sensational 1:56.85 for a collegiate record and no. 3 in the world for 2026! She destroyed the former record of 1:57.73 by Athing Mu (Texas A&M) in 2021.

Penn State’s Hayley Kitching pushed hard on the final straight to get second in a lifetime best of 1:57.65, also under the old record! The top five got lifetime bests and the top six were all under 1:59!

There were other events in which the collegiate record was not broken!

USC was the defending champion in the 4×100 m and Whyte took the lead on the third leg and made a smooth pass to Brianna Selby on anchor and she crossed in a world-leading 41.58 – all four are Americans – to edge LSU (41.74) and 41.89 for Georgia. It’s the second-fastest 4×100 in collegiate history.

Washington State’s national leader Rosemary Longisa (KEN) took the bell in the 1,500 m and led with 200 m to go and no one could keep up; she won with a 59.08 last lap in 4:12.10. Behind her, Wilma Nielsen (SWE-Oregon) was passed on the final straight by Morocco’s Salma Elbadra (South Carolina: 4:12.89) and Oregon teammate Juliet Cherubet (KEN: 4:12.99), with Nielsen fourth (4:13.40).

In the Steeple, Notre Dame’s Sophie Novak and BYU junior Taylor Lovell were 1-2 at the bell and Lovell moved away to win convincingly in a lifetime best 9:21.03, with Novak at 9:26.53. Lovell moved from ninth to first from 2025 to 2026.

NCAA Indoor 5,000 m winner Jane Hedengren (BYU) went to the lead in the 5,000 m with five laps to go, ahead of 10,000 m runner-up Pamela Kosgei (KEN-New Mexico) and 2025 Steeple star Doris Lemngole (KEN-Alabama). Lemngole and Kosgei ran up to 1-2 with 2 1/2 laps left and Lemngole started pushing and took the bell. She took off and had a 10 m lead with 300 m to go and won all alone in 15:11.71. New Mexico soph Marion Jepngetich (KEN) was second in 15:13.01 and 10,000 winner Mercyline Kirwa (KEN-Iowa State) got third in 15:13.72. Kosgei faded to sixth and Hedengren was 10th.

It was Lemngole’s sixth NCAA title across all disciplines, but she was disqualified later for two or more steps on or inside the curb. Alabama protested, but did not prevail and the disqualification held. 

Defending champion Aaliyah McCormick (Oregon) was even with Kentucky’s Emmi Scales over five hurdles, but McCormick got to the lead and won in a speedy 12.47 (+1.2). Scales caught her trail leg on the final hurdle and stumbled onto the ground, rolling across the line in 12.69 and still getting second! UCLA’s Celeste Polzonetti (ITA) – with Scales crashing into her lane – still got third at 12.79!

South Carolina’s Akala Garrett got to the lead by the halfway mark of the 400 m hurdles and held off a strong challenge by Amelliah Birdow (Texas), 53.32 to 53.60. Garrett moved up from second in 2025 and is now no. 4 in the world for 2026. Birdow is seventh.

Four cleared 1.90 m (6-2 3/4) in the high jump, but two-time NCAA Indoor winner Temitope Adeshina (NGR-Texas Tech) took the lead at 1.96 m (6-5), finally joined by Rose Yeboah (GHS-Illinois) on her third try. The next height was 1.99 m (6-6 1/4) to equal the collegiate record and the 2026 world lead, but neither could clear and Adeshina had the win.

Jamaica’s blue-haired Shantae Foreman (Clemson) rode a 2.6 m/s wind in round two of the triple jump to get the lead at 14.14 m (46-4 3/4). Oregon soph Sharifa Davronova (UZB) reached 14.13 m (46-4 1/4) and stood second. In the final round, Davronova got to the lead with a wind-aided 14.15 m (46-5 1/4w), but Foreman responded with the winner: 14.24 m (46-8 3/4) with legal wind, to take the title.

Florida’s Alina van Daalen (NED) moved up from second last year and won the discus title at 65.98 m (216-6) in round three and any of her last five throws would have won. Alabama junior Joyce Oguama (GER) was second at 59.98 m (196-9).

After winning the long jump and a second in the javelin, Washington’s Sofia Cosculluela (ESP) had the heptathlon lead going into the 800 m at 5,333 and a 129-point lead on Illinois frosh JaiCleonna Gero-Holt. Cosculluela ran 11th in the 800 m and won with 6,182 points, with Cincinnati’s Juliette Laracuente-Huebner moving up for second at 6,084. Gero-Holt was third with 6,010.

The team title came down to the 4×400 m, with Georgia leading Florida, 42-38. Arkansas dominated the race, with Kaylyn Brown breaking the race open on the third leg (49.29) and then Jallow on anchor in 49.02 in the no. 2 collegiate performance all-time in a world-fastest 3:18.88 (not a world leader as mixed nationalities).

Georgia was second with Oakley on anchor in a speedy 48.79 and 3:20.96, ahead of Tennessee in 3:23.75. So Georgia won the team trophy with 50 points to win for the second year in a row, ahead of Florida (41) and Arkansas at 38.

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FOOTBALL: U.S. opens big with 4-1 rout of Paraguay, after Canadian magic earns 1-1 tie with Bosnia & Herzegovina on World Cup day 2

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

Among all the hoopla for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. had confidence facing Paraguay, a team it beat by 2-1 in a friendly in November 2025. That confidence turned out to be justified.

The first half in front of 70,492 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California was a dream come true as the U.S. got on top in the seventh minute on a Paraguay own goal charged to midfielder Damian Bobadilla, after a Weston McKennie shot deflected off his foot on a clearance try and into the Paraguay net. McKennie was set up by midfield star Christian Pulisic, who split two defenders on the left side and fed McKennie for a left-footed shot that caromed in.

Striker Folarin Balogun got what looked like a goal in the 28th, but was waved off for offsides. But he was back in the 31st, taking a pass from the left wing by Pulisic in the center of the box and sending a shot to the right side of the Paraguay net for a 2-0 edge.

As the half neared its end, midfielder Malik Tillman sent a perfect lead pass from midfield that found Balogun between two defenders, who then rolled forward and sent a hard, left-footed shot to the roof of the far side of the goal at 45+5 for a dominant 3-0 lead at the half! The Americans had 72% possession and a 7-2 advantage on shots.

The second half had Paraguay more aggressive, of course, but the U.S. controlled the action until the hydration break at the 67th minute. Right after, however, Paraguay got on the board on a pretty goal by sub midfielder Mauricio, who took a pass from the right side by midfielder Julio Encisco and delivered a liner for Paraguay’s first goal, in the 73rd.

At 3-1, Paraguay had thoughts of getting closer, but the U.S. regained control and played most of the remainder in the Paraguay end. Finally, at 90+8, the U.S. was looking around, but sub midfielder Gio Reyna had room at the top of the box and sent a right-footed laser into the far side of the net for a 4-1 win and mobbed by his teammates.

The U.S. dominated with 65% possession and a 16-9 edge on shots, blocking five Paraguayan shots. It’s the most goals the U.S. has ever scored in a World Cup game! Next up for the U.S. is Australia on the 19th in Seattle, Washington.

Canada opened the World Cup Group D with an entertaining match against Bosnia & Herzegovina in Toronto, but with the first goal coming on a brilliant header by Jovo Lukic in the 21st for his first international goal, off a perfect cross from defender Sead Kolasinac. That goal held up for the 1-0 halftime lead.

In the 54th, Canada surely was going to tie, with midfielder Stephen Eustaquio feeding defender Richie Laryea, whose shot got past keeper Nikola Vasilj. But defender Sead Kolasinac was behind the play, on the goalline, and slammed his foot at the ball and managed the clear it … by hitting the crossbar, and ricocheting it back onto the field!

Canada kept the pressure coming and it finally paid off in the 78th as substitute striker Cyle Larin – only in the game for a couple of minutes – got hold of a flick-on into the lower box from forward Promise David, somehow turned in traffic and sent a right-footed rocket into the B&H net for the 1-1 tie.

Both sides looked for the winner and Larin had another quality chance at 90+6, but his shot was blocked by defender Tarik Muharemovic.

Canada ended with 61% possession and a 13-8 edge on shots, but was satisfied to come away with a point in a difficult match.

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ATHLETICS: Wow! Tharp wins 110 hurdles in 12.90, Ajayi fab 9.72w in 100, Reid 19.63 in 200 and Ogazi startling 43.37 in 400 at NCAA men’s final day!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Nigeria’s 400 m star Samuel Ogazi, the two-time NCAA 400 m champion (Photo: University of Alabama).

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≡ NCAA T&F CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

What would Ja’Kobe Tharp do?

After his world-record 12.75 on Wednesday in the qualifying, the Auburn junior faced Texas junior star Kendrick Smallwood on Friday to defend his NCAA Championships title from 2025.

Tharp was in lane five and Smallwood in six and Smallwood had the best start. But Tharp got going and was in the lead by the second hurdle. Smallwood kept the pressure up and was chasing, but Tharp was calm and in form and held on through the line. Smallwood pressed on the run-in, but Tharp got it at 12.90 (wind: -0.2 m/s) with Smallwood at 12.95, a lifetime best. Ohio State junior Braxton Brann got a lifetime best at 13.07 for third.

Tharp’s winning mark is the equal-8th performance in U.S. history and Smallwood is now no. 2 in the world for 2026.

The 100 m was the next race and Auburn teammate Kayinsola Ajayi (NGR) was in front by 15 m and kept up the pressure right to the line and won in a wind-aided 9.72 (+2.2 m/s). LSU’s Jaiden Reid held off Arkansas’ Jelani Watkins for second, 9.82w to 9.87w.

Only six other men in history have run as fast – under any conditions – as Ajayi: Usain Bolt (JAM: 9.58), Tyson Gay (USA: 9.69), Yohan Blake (JAM: 9.69) and Asafa Powell (JAM: 9.72) with legal wins and wind-aided marks for Obadele Thompson (BAR: 9.69w) and Canada’s Andre De Grasse (9.69w).

A third world leader, Alabama’s defending champion Samuel Ogazi (NGR), was in lane six in the 400 m final, and was slightly behind Florida’s Justin Braun around the final turn. But Ogazi was much stronger on the home straight and ran away to win in a sensational 43.38, a collegiate record, shattering the 43.61 by USC’s Michael Norman in 2018.

He’s now no. 4 in history (and the no. 4 performance): only Wayde van Niekerk (RSA: 43.03 in 2016), Michael Johnson (USA: 43.18 in 1999) and Butch Reynolds (USA: 43.29 in 1988) have ever run faster!

Reid came back in the 200 m and ran the curve hard and was in the lead into the straight and rolled to a brilliant, world-leading 19.63 (+1.5)! That’s a world-leader and a collegiate record, erasing Walter Dix (Florida State: 19.69 in 2007)!

Auburn’s Israel Okon (NGR) pulled up with about 12 m left, but still limped in and finished second in 19.99, with Indiana’s Trelee Banks third in 20.02. Reid, a junior, is now equal-12th on the all-time list and equal-8th all-time U.S.!

Friday’s meet started with a shock on the track in the 4×100 m relay, as SEC champ Arkansas failed to connect on the first pass because of an injury and collegiate-record holder – and two-time defending champ – Auburn failed on the final pass. But the race was still an SEC affair, with Tennessee’s Elijah Clark anchoring the win in 37.98, ahead of LSU at 38.05.

The 800 m had a 50.57 first lap from Penn State’s Allon Clay, then Arkansas’ Rivaldo Marshall (JAM) and Tyrice Taylor (JAM) took over and Northern Arizona star Colin Sahlman running down the straight after both … and stole it at the line in a lifetime best of 1:44.22. Sahlman ran 52.94 on the last lap and came from fifth into the straight and ran in lane three for a clear lane to the line. Taylor (lifetime best 1:44.30) was second and Marshall third at 1:44.93. Clay was fourth in 1:44.98.

Collegiate-record holder Simeon Birnbaum of Oregon, seventh last year, was the overwhelming favorite in the 1,500 m and he ran like it. Second at the bell, he blew away the field with a 52.08 last lap and the last 800 m in 1:51.62 to win in a safe and sane 3:36.05. Michigan junior Trent McFarland got second in 3:37.19, with Gary Martin (Virginia) third in 3:37.21.

National leader and 2025 runner-up Geoffrey Kirwa (KEN-Louisville) was in front for most of the Steeple, but was challenged at the end by Silas Kiptanui (KEN-Tulane), with Kirwa hanging on to win, 8:17.46 to 8:18.20.

Five men were in the lead pack at the bell in the 5,000 m, with Villanova’s Marco Langon in front. But 10,000 m winner Habtom Samuel (ERI-New Mexico) moved to the lead on the back straight with Wake Forest’s Rocky Hansen in hot pursuit and they were 1-2 to the finish. Samuel finished the 5-10 double in 13:38.93, with Hansen in 13:39.91.

Florida sophomore Vance Nilsson was out in lane nine in the 400 hurdles and had the lead on the final turn and into the straight., He was being chased by Texas’ Kody Blackwood and the lead was shrinking, but Blackwood fell on the 10th hurdle and Nilsson rolled to the line in 48.06, the fastest time in the nation in 2026 and ninth in the world this year. Texas A&M’s Ja’Qualon Scott was second – for the second straight year – in 48.82. Blackwood did get up and finish in 53.32 for ninth.

Only four could clear 2.25 m (7-4 1/2) in the high jump, then Georgia junior Kimani Jack (GBR) popped over 2.28 m (7-5 3/4) to take the lead and that was good enough to win. Arkansas’ Scottie Vines finished second, then Tennessee’s Grant Campbell and Jordan Wenger (Oral Roberts).

Kansas State’s Selva Prabhu (IND) jumped 16.92 m (55-6 1/4) in round two of the triple jump and led throughout the remainder of the event as a sophomore. Kenyan Kevin Kemboi (Oklahoma State) got out to 16.84 m (55-3) in round two for second.

The discus was a repeat win for Jamaican Ralford Mullings (Oklahoma), who reached 65.81 m (215-10) in the fourth round to take the lead back from Texas Tanner (Air Force), who threw 63.75 m (209-2) in the second round. USC senior Vincent Ugwoke (NGR) moved ahead of Tanner in round four and teammate Racquil Broderick (JAM) moved into second in the final round at 64.15 m (210-5). Tanner ended up fourth.

The team race came down to the 4×400 m relay, with Arkansas leading Tennessee, 50-44 and Oregon at 40, but without a team in the relay. So the Razorbacks could clinch the title with a fourth-place finish or better. National leader LSU was in the lead after the second pass and Malachi Austin had a big lead on anchor. But Georgia’s Jonathan Simms stormed into contention and ran Austin down at the line in 2:57.93 to 2:57.96! Simms’ split on anchor was a stunning 42.99!

Arkansas finished third in 2:59.87 and claimed their first men’s NCAA championship since 2023, scoring 56 points to 49 for Georgia and Tennessee at 46. Wow.

Saturday will be the final day, devoted to the women’s finals.

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ATHLETICS: Hodge stuns with 10.63 women’s 100 m for Georgia in NCAA qualifying; Amanda Moll clears collegiate vault record!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Washington vault star Amanda Moll, collegiate record-setter at the 2026 NCAA Championships (Photo: University of Washington).

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≡ NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

Day two of the NCAA Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, was devoted to women’s events, but it was a qualifying race that took the first headline!

Adajeah Hodge (IVB-Georgia), the NCAA Indoor 200 m champion, started well in the first heat of the 100 m, then accelerated away from the field and crossed in a stunning 10.63 (wind: +1.9), the world leader in 2026, a national record and now the fifth-fastest in history!

Hodge crushed the collegiate record of 10.75 by Sha’Carri Richardson in 2019; LSU soph Shawnti Jackson was second in a lifetime best of 10.88, then USC’s Brianna Selby (10.94). Now a Georgia frosh, Hodge tested positive for a metabolic modulator at the 2024 World Athletics U-20 Championships, but it was ruled unintentional and the usual two-year suspension was reduced by seven months for her assistance in doping investigations. She became eligible at Georgia in late January.

Florida senior Gabrielle Mathews won heat two in 11.02 (+0.6) and Florida State’s Shenese Walker (JAM) took heat three in 10.94 (+0.3).

In the 200 m, defending champion Jameesia Ford (South Carolina) pulled up after 100 m in the first heat of the 200 m heats, grabbing the back of her left leg, and did not advance. Howard’s Yahnari Lyons won in 22.36, Camryn Dickson (Texas A&M: 22.22) took heat two, and then Hodge came on over the straight and eased home in heat three in 21.96 (+1.7).

In the scoring finals, the women’s 10,000 m was another showdown between BYU super-frosh Jane Hedengren, the NCAA Indoor 3,000 and 5,000 m champ and world leader, and defending champion Pamela Kosgei (KEN-Mexico). They were 1-2 with 10 laps to go, and were 1-2 at the bell. Kosgei sprinted to the lead with 200 m to go, then was Iowa State’s Mercyline Kirwa (KEN) shot into the lead on the turn and won easily in a stunner in 31:54.88! Kosgei was second in 31:56.49 and Hedengren was third in 31:57.94.

In the vault, the key height was 4.64 m (15-2 3/4), with defending champion Hana Moll (Washington) and twin sister Amanda Moll – the 2025 NCAA Indoor winner – clearing on their first tries. South Dakota soph Anna Willis cleared on her first to get a lifetime best and Ashley Callahan (Louisville) cleared on her second. Both Willis and Callahan missed at 4.69 m (15-4 1.2) while the Molls passed. At 4.74 m (15-6) both Molls cleared, with Amanda over on her first and Hana on her second. The bar went to a collegiate record of 4.84 m (15-10 1/2) and Amanda cleared on her third try to take the record from her sister (4.83 m/15-10 in May).

Hana missed her three tries and took second; Amanda tried twice at 4.92 m (16-1 3/4) and then retired, now no. 2 in the world for 2026.

World leader Alyssa Jones (Stanford) took control of the long jump in the first round, reaching 7.06 m (23-2) and taking the meet record! She backed that up with a 7.02 m (23-0 1/2) in round five to underline her dominance. Clemson senior Shantae Foreman was second from the second round at 6.69 m (21-11 1/2) and stayed there.

National leader Axelina Johansson (SWE-Nebraska) took the lead in the shot in round one at 19.92 m (65-4 1/4), a meet record. Well behind in second was USC soph Ashley Erasmus at 18.14 m (59-6 1/4).

The 2024 hammer champion, Texas State junior Elisabet Rut Runarsdottir (ISL) returned for a second trophy, taking the lead in the third round at 73.19 m (240-1) to edge national leader Annie Nabwe (LBR-Minnesota), who reached 73.15 m (240-0) on her final toss.

Kenyan Irene Jepkemboi (TCU) was third in the javelin in 2025, but took charge in 2026 with her second throw of 59.91 m (196-6). That led through five rounds, but in the sixth, Rice’s McKyla van der Westhuizen (RSA) reached 60.87 m (199-8) and that ended up being the winner. National leader Evelyn Bliss (Bucknell) moved up to second at 60.28 m (197-9). Jepkemboi imrpoved to 60.16 m (197-4), but had to settle for third.

There was one men’s final, the final day of the decathlon, with Louisville soph Kenneth Byrd leading after nine events at 7,491, finishing second in the high jump and winning the vault. He was 50 points up on BYU’s Ben Barton with the 1,500 m to go, and Barton surged in the final straight to finish in 4:32.61 for 8,169 points. Byrd finished in 4:41.73 and had to settle for second at 8,160.

In the qualifying races, USC ran a sizzling 41.96 in the 4×100 m relay with Dajaz Defrand, Mia Brahe-Pedersen, Madison Whyte and Brianna Selby, the no. 4 performance in collegiate history and now the no. 2 school behind Texas. Georgia was second in the same heat two in 42.00, the equal-fifth performance and now the no. 3 school. LSU won heat one in 42.38, the next fastest.

National leader Dejanea Oakley (JAM-Georgia) won the 400 m first heat in 49.93, then USC star Whyte took the second heat in 50.73 and Sydney Segala (Boston College) came on late to win heat three in 50.31. In the 800 m, national leader Sanu Jallow (GAM-Arkansas) broke away from the pack in the final 200 m to win heat three in 1:58.89, the fastest qualifier. Hayley Kitching (AUS-Penn State) won heat one in 1:59.46) and Kansas’ Emmaculate Jemutai (KEN) came from well back to win heat two in 1:59.62.

The women’s 1,500 m heats were won by Rosemary Langisa (KEN-Washington State) in 4:06.41 and Hayley Bruns (Northern Arizona: 4:09.48). The Steeple qualifying was led by Virginia Tech frosh Jule Lindner (GER) in 9:44.43 in heat one, and Cynthia Jemutai (KEN-Alabama) in 9:38.49.

The 100 m hurdles qualifying saw Kentucky’s Emmi Scales (12.72) win heat one, then defending champ Aaliyah McCormick (Oregon: 12.58) in heat two and Southern junior Tashina Alase in heat three in 12.90. The 2025 runner-up, South Carolina’s Akala Garrett dominated heat two and won in 54.59, fastest of the day. Heat one was won by Amelliah Birdow (Texas) in 55.63 and heat three went to Arkansas’ Saira Prince with a lifetime best of 55.13.

The 4×400 m heats saw Duke won heat one in 3:25.14, then Georgia take heat two in 3:24.29 and Arkansas took heat three with Jallow on anchor, in 3:21.90, the third-fastest time in collegiate history!

The meet continues Friday with the men’s finals.

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PANORAMA: Tharp “apologizes” for 110 hurdles world record; ski mountaineering proposal for French Alps 2030; good TV audience for Lone Star Grand Prix

By
Rich Perelman
-

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Olympic Winter Games 2026: Milan Cortina ● The Winter Games are over, but the torches remain.

There were some 10,500 torchbearers for the Games, for which 3,000 torches were produced. Now, those who carried the torch can ask to purchase one for €1,500 (about $1,737 U.S.), plus shipping and taxes. But there is only the existing production, and no more!

● Olympic Winter Games 2030: French Alps ● The 2030 organizing committee is proposing to continue ski mountaineering – a sport in which the French are dominant – for 2030 and to add to the Individual race to the Sprint and Mixed Relay.

The addition is to be considered by the IOC Session, meeting in a couple of weeks.

● International Federations ● The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) released its sixth Governance Review report, updating the prior edition in 2024. The summer federations were graded according to transparency, integrity, democracy, development and sustainability and control mechanisms.

A perfect score would have been 240 and the target minimum score for continuing federations was 150. The distribution of the scores ranged from 150 to 228 for 31 full members, with five associate members (*) varying widely:

● A1 (14 federations: 210-228): aquatics, athletics, badminton, baseball-softball*, basketball, cycling, equestrian, football, rowing, rugby, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, volleyball.

● A2 (7:185-209): fencing, gymnastics, hockey, sailing, sport climbing, taekwondo, wrestling.

● B (13: 150-184): archery, canoeing, cricket*, golf, handball, judo, lacrosse*, modern pentathlon, shooting, skateboarding, squash*, surfing, weightlifting.

● C (1: 135-149): American football*.

● D (1: sub-135): boxing*.

The mean scores for all federations rose slightly to 192.7 from 189.4 in 2024.

● Athletics ● Auburn’s Ja’Kobe Tharp “apologized” for his 12.75 world record in the heats of the men’s 110 m hurdles on Wednesday at the NCAA Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon:

“I’m speechless. I didn’t mean to.

“I knew going into this meet I would be in really good shape because we started deloading to hit my peak into this meet. It was about executing and doing it. I’m always only focused on me. I knew what I was capable of. I knew I had something faster than 13.0 in my legs.”

The world record was reported as the first at the NCAA Championships since Dwight Stones set one in the high jump in Philadelphia in 1976, competing for Long Beach State (and, of course, Stones was calling the meet for ESPN!). Tharp will be in the 110 m hurdles finals on Friday, trying to defend his 2025 title.

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in South Africa was announced Wednesday as the eighth World Marathon Majors race and first in Africa.

Cape Town joins Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York, and will formally enter the series on 23 May 2027. The 2026 race had a reported 16,351 finishers with Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa winning the men’s race in 2:04.55 and Dera Dida taking the women’s race 2:23:18.

World Marathon Majors status is expected to increase the economic impact of the race to possibly more than $48 million U.S. per year!

A ninth World Marathon Major is in the works – the Shanghai Marathon in China – which will be reviewed after its 6 December 2026 race.

There were only maybe 1,000 fans at Saturday’s USA Track & Field Lone Star Grand Prix meet in College Station, Texas, but the meet did well on television.

NBC confirmed “a Total Audience Delivery of 757,000 viewers across NBC, Peacock, and NBC Sports Digital properties.” Track & field on NBC has consistently done well, with up to a million or so viewers, vs. other meets which draw around 300,000 on cable and smaller networks.

● Bobsled & Skeleton ● The International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation elected long-time federation Secretary General Heike Groesswang (GER), 56, as its new President at its Salzburg Congress.

She received 27 votes out of 45, to win over Ander Mirambell (ESP: 10), Dr. Nelson Christian Stokes (JAM: 5) and Martins Dambegs (LAT: 3). Groesswang has been the IBSF Secretary General since 2012 and replaced Italian Ivo Ferriani (2010-26).

Six IBSF Vice Presidents were elected, which included American Tuffield Latour as Vice President of Sport.

● Tennis ● Serena Williams’ comeback Doubles adventure at the Queen’s Club Championships in London (GBR) are over as partner Victoria Mboko (CAN) suffered a right knee injury in her Singles match and has had to withdraw.

Williams will play next he will also be competing in the Berlin Tennis Open in Germany that starts on the 15th, again in Doubles, this time with Czech Karolina Muchova.

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FOOTBALL: FIFA’s Infantino dismisses ticket pricing anger and visa issues; Mexico wins the opening match vs. South Africa, 2-0

By
Rich Perelman
-
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI) speaks at the American Business Forum in Miami on 7 November 2025 (Image: DRM News screen shot).

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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI) waved off criticisms over the federation’s predatory pricing strategies for the 2026 World Cup at a news conference on Wednesday:

● “Our average price which is below $500, is again the lowest of the American sports on average [on the resale market]. If we take the playoffs, I think we can at least compare the playoffs of an American sport with the World Cup.

“If you look at the final of the NBA, the Knicks against San Antonio, I don’t know how many people are watching that on TV, 10 million maybe, I don’t know. The World Cup will be watched by six billion people. So, in terms of importance, the World Cup is much, much more important.

“The fact that when we put these tickets on sale, they go on the secondary market which is absolutely legal here and they are sold for a much higher price. This certainly shows that the prices were accurate in terms of the way they have been determined.”

● “The market is here what it is, that if you sell it at a lower price point – and again this has been part of intense and extensive analysis – in this particular market.. It would have gone, which is perfectly legal in this country, in secondary markets at much, much, much higher prices.

“And where would the money go then? Well, to those who organize secondary market or black market activities and not to football. So every dollar that comes in goes back into the development of football. We have one competition every four years that generates revenues. The 47 other months out of the 48 of four years we are investing this revenue in the growth of the game. Nobody else is doing that. Nobody. Nobody.

“This allows us to maintain as well free TV. I said we could put everything on pay. We would generate $30 billion in revenues probably. But then you have billions of people in the world who would not be able to watch the World Cup. So the soul and the heart is the fans in the stadiums. It’s the fans in the fan zones. It’s the fans at home. It’s every football fan. We want to bring the World Cup to every football fan.”

● “When it comes to these legal investigations or complaints that were made in some states in the U.S., we are very relaxed about it because before starting to sell six-and-a-half or seven million tickets we check what we do with the best lawyers, with the best experts. If we do something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong, as well.

“We welcome every investigation. We are happy to present everything, and we are happy to make our case.”

Infantino also offered little argument about the denial of entry into the U.S. of Somali referee Omar Artan:

“We don’t control everything. We try. We’ll discuss, we will speak, we’ll see. Maybe sometimes it’s good as well to just chill, relax.

“We try to solve everything. Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution. Believe me when I tell you, or don’t believe me if you don’t want, but we try always to find solutions, always. But then we need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces.

“Our world is a very aggressive world and security goes above everything and you need to respect the decisions which are taken. We are working behind the scenes.”

Artan, barred from the World Cup, will referee the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris St.-Germain and Aston Villa FC.

The opening match in Mexico City were as expected, with Mexico winning over South Africa before 80,824 in a Group A game marred by three red cards, two for South Africa in the 49th minute (midfielder Sphepheto Sithole) and 84th (midfielder Themba Zwane).

Mexico went up 1-0 on a strike from the left of goal from forward Julian Quinones in the ninth minute, following a bad South African clearance and a feed from midfielder Eric Lira. Although the pressure was constantly on the South African goal, keeper Ronwen Williams was solid. Mexico finished the half with 57% possession and a 10-2 shots edge.

It got a lot worse in the second half as Sithole’s red card left South Africa with 10 players and forward Raul Jimenez scored on a header off a pass from forward Roberto Alvarado in the 67th for the 2-0 edge.

Mexico kept pressing, but did not score again, despite South Africa playing with nine after the 84th following a second red card for a harsh tackle by Zwane. But a rough slap by defender Cesar Montes at 90+2 left the home team playing with 10 as the game ended. The Mexicans ended with 60% possession and a 16-3 shots advantage.

South Korea faced the Czech Republic in the other Group A game on Thursday, in Guadalajara (MEX) at night, with no score in the first half.

In the 59th, Czech defender Ladislav Krejci came on unmarked from behind the defense as defender Vladimir Coufal was perfectly executing a long throw-in that found Krejci’s head for a brilliant goal and a 1-0 lead.

But the Koreans were game and finally converted a chance in the 67th. A perfect lead pass from Kang-in Lee found midfielder In-Beom Hwang in the box; he controlled the ball, deked two defenders and the keeper out of position and bounced into the net and the 1-1 tie before the hydration break.

The match was decided in the 80th, as a long lead pass found Hwang on the right side and his clever cross was right in the path of a charging sub forward Hyeon-Gyu Oh, who sent a liner into the Czech net for what proved to be the 2-1 winner!

Korean keeper Sung-Gyu Kim’s save at 90+4 ensured the win, as the Koreans had 62% of possession and and a 15-7 shots edge as the aggressor in the game.

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