Harry Kane is the favorite to win the Ballon d'Or this year after a strong season for his club and England. Historically, players who perform well in big tournaments like the World Cup have a better chance of winning the award.
Key Facts
The Ballon d'Or started in 1956 and was first given to England’s Sir Stanley Matthews.
At first, only European players could win; the award opened to all players worldwide in 1995.
Many winners earned the award after success in the World Cup, such as Ronaldo and Fabio Cannavaro.
Players who helped their teams reach late stages of major tournaments often win the award.
Some exceptions exist, like Kevin Keegan winning in 1978 without England playing in the World Cup.
The award is voted on by a jury of journalists, one from each country in the top 100 football nations.
Success in other major competitions like the Champions League or European Championship also helps win the Ballon d'Or.
South American players who won the World Cup between 1958 and 1994 likely would have been winners if eligible earlier.
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Liverpool is looking for a new sporting director after Richard Hughes left to work in Saudi Arabia. The club faces challenges like deciding whether to keep key players Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, both of whom have contracts ending soon. Candidates for the role include internal staff and experienced football directors from other clubs.
Key Facts
Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director since summer 2024, left to join Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Liverpool has had to find a sporting director five times since 2022.
Mike Gordon, president of Liverpool's owner Fenway Sports Group, is managing the search for a new director.
Possible candidates are David Woodfine (Hughes’ assistant), Julian Ward (former sporting director now FSG technical director), and Pedro Marques (FSG director of football development).
Luis Campos of Paris St-Germain is a strong external candidate but unlikely to leave PSG soon.
Key players Alisson (goalkeeper) and Virgil van Dijk (defender) have contracts ending next season, making their futures uncertain.
Liverpool has lost important players like Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson recently and needs experienced leaders.
Liverpool did not strengthen their midfield over summer but plans to develop young talent like Trey Nyoni.
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The documentary *Don't Look Back In Anger* shows the reunion tour of the band Oasis in 2025 after a 15-year break caused by a big fight between the Gallagher brothers in 2009. It highlights their reconciliation and the band's preparation for the tour but does not explain the details of their past conflicts.
Key Facts
Oasis broke up in 2009 after a huge fight backstage during a concert in Paris.
The band did not speak for 15 years before reuniting for the 2025 comeback tour.
The documentary was shown at the Venice Film Festival and directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace.
The film shows rehearsals and the reunion concert at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Liam Gallagher gave up cigarettes and alcohol during the tour to perform well.
The brothers’ past conflicts and the reasons behind their break are not detailed in the film.
Their reunion was emotional and joyful for both the band and their fans.
The documentary was scripted by Steven Knight, known for creating *Peaky Blinders*.
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The US Open 2026 tennis tournament is in day nine with several exciting matches scheduled. Top players like Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, and Elena Rybakina will face tough opponents as they compete to advance in the tournament.
Key Facts
Mirra Andreeva, a recent grand slam winner, plays against Anastasia Potapova.
Iga Swiatek, who won the US Open in 2022 and hasn’t lost a set in 2026, faces Qinwen Zheng.
Naomi Osaka, a two-time US Open champion, plays Elena Rybakina, the Australian Open winner and potential world number one.
Alexander Blockx, a 21-year-old Belgian player, faces Francisco Cerundolo in one of the biggest matches of his career.
Arthur Gea, also 21, takes on Botic van de Zandschulp, known for his powerful serve.
Karen Khachanov, a strong but less agile player, competes against Learner Tien, who is fast and skilled with touch shots.
The article previews these matches without predicting winners, encouraging fans to enjoy the competition.
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Pakistan's cricket team is facing an internal investigation about discipline and conduct during their tour of England, where they have already lost two Tests. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has started this inquiry amid a chaotic tour that included sending home seven players and replacing the head coach.
Key Facts
Pakistan is losing 2-0 in a three-match Test cricket series against England.
Seven Pakistan players were sent home, and seven new players were called up during the tour.
Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed was replaced by Mike Hesson from New Zealand.
Pakistan players threatened to cancel the tour after an interview with former Prime Minister and captain Imran Khan was broadcast.
The PCB has launched a disciplinary inquiry into reports about player behavior and team conduct.
The inquiry is following PCB’s standard rules and all involved will be heard.
There have been rumors and unconfirmed reports which the PCB has called unreliable.
Australian coach Ashley Noffke joined Pakistan’s backroom staff to replace fast-bowling coach Umar Gul.
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Kylian Mbappe, playing for Real Madrid, said this could be a good year for him to win the Ballon d'Or, an award given to the best football player in the world. He has scored many goals in recent seasons and holds records for France and PSG, but has not yet won this award or the Champions League with Real Madrid.
Key Facts
Mbappe scored 42 goals in 44 games last season but won no trophies with Real Madrid.
He is the top scorer for both PSG (256 goals) and France (66 goals).
Mbappe holds the record for most goals in World Cups, with 22 goals in total.
He thinks this year might be his chance to win the Ballon d'Or for the first time.
Journalists vote to decide the Ballon d'Or winner, and Mbappe was ranked third in 2023.
Other top contenders for the Ballon d'Or include Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, and Rodri.
Mbappe has won eight consecutive league top scorer awards and two World Cup Golden Boots.
PSG has won the Champions League twice since Mbappe left the club, but he has not yet won it with Real Madrid.
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New video footage shows the ball touching Nottingham Forest player Neco Williams' arm before a disallowed goal in a match against Tottenham Hotspur. The video assistant referee (VAR) ruled the goal out for accidental handball, a decision confirmed by the new footage but still debated by fans and commentators.
Key Facts
Neco Williams scored a goal that was disallowed for handball during the match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur.
VAR official Peter Bankes ruled the goal out after reviewing available video angles.
New camera footage, not seen during the game, shows the ball touching Williams' left arm and right forearm before the goal.
This footage was not available to the VAR during the match because it is from a camera not used in live broadcast.
Williams and Forest manager Oliver Glasner disagreed with the decision, saying there was no clear proof of handball.
The refereeing body, Pro Ref (formerly PGMO), supports the decision to rule out the goal.
VAR decisions are based on evidence of a handball, which is considered a factual judgement, not just a subjective call.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges with VAR technology and decision-making in football.
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Many top men's tennis players were eliminated early at the US Open this year, showing how tough the competition is. Factors like pressure, injuries, fatigue, and strong performances by younger stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner affected the results.
Key Facts
Six of the top 10 men's seeds lost before the fourth round at the US Open.
Taylor Fritz lost after leading by two sets, highlighting the difficulty of winning.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have won 10 of the last 11 Grand Slam titles between them.
Alexander Zverev won his first major at the 2024 French Open but still struggles with nerves.
Injuries and fatigue contributed to early losses by top players like Novak Djokovic and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Some players mentioned feeling physically and mentally drained due to the long season and heat in New York.
The men's tournament has been unpredictable, while the women's draw has been more stable, with many top seeds reaching later rounds.
Former players and experts say the current dominance by Alcaraz and Sinner creates extra pressure on other players.
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England has appointed former cricket player Kevin Pietersen as a coach for its white-ball teams ahead of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. Pietersen will work with the team during upcoming matches and tours, including the World Cup held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Key Facts
Kevin Pietersen, 46, will join England’s white-ball coaching team as a specialist mentor.
He will start coaching in T20 and one-day matches against Sri Lanka.
Pietersen will also be involved in tours to Australia and South Africa, and home series against Pakistan and New Zealand.
Pietersen played for England until 2014 and was a top-performing batter in one-day and T20 cricket.
He was named player of the tournament when England won the T20 World Cup in 2010.
Pietersen had past conflicts with some players and coaches but returned after a period of reintegration.
After retiring, Pietersen worked as a cricket commentator and mentor for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.
England’s white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum expressed support for Pietersen’s appointment.
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The new NFL season begins with several key storylines, including the Los Angeles Rams aiming to win the Super Bowl at their home stadium again, the Kansas City Chiefs working to recover from last year's ups and downs, and star quarterbacks Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson striving for their first Super Bowl wins. The Rams strengthened their team by adding top defensive players, while the Chiefs look to bounce back with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce continuing to play.
Key Facts
The Rams won the Super Bowl in their home stadium in 2022 and aim to repeat this success.
Los Angeles Rams made major off-season trades, including signing Myles Garrett, who led the league in sacks last season.
Quarterback Matt Stafford, last season’s MVP, is with the Rams, along with defensive stars Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald, who recently came out of retirement.
The Kansas City Chiefs missed the playoffs last season for the first time in 11 years after an injury to Patrick Mahomes.
Chiefs’ key players Patrick Mahomes (quarterback) and Travis Kelce (tight end) will return this season; Kelce plans to play at least one more year.
Kenneth Walker, a new running back for the Chiefs, was the most valuable player (MVP) in the recent Super Bowl.
Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) and Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) are two star quarterbacks still chasing their first Super Bowl win.
The new NFL season marks important moments in the careers of players like Myles Garrett, Travis Kelce, and Aaron Donald.
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Baseball has long followed strict, traditional rules about how players should behave on the field. Recently, some Black and Latino players have challenged these old customs, leading to conflicts that also reflect deeper cultural and racial tensions within the sport.
Key Facts
Baseball has many unwritten rules about how players should act, often stressing seriousness and respect for tradition.
Braves player Ronald Acuña Jr. celebrated a home run with a playful gesture, which upset the opposing team.
Yankees player Jazz Chisholm advanced bases in a situation where players normally do not, causing criticism.
An umpire stopped a game to tell a rookie to fix his hat for not following a style custom, even though it was not against official rules.
Many of the people complaining about these actions were white, while those breaking the customs were Black or Latino.
These incidents show ongoing cultural and racial tensions in baseball that go beyond just sports.
Baseball traditions are seen as reflecting a historical “whiteness” in the sport that some players and fans want to challenge.
Other sports like basketball have evolved more with new generations, while baseball holds tightly to its old ways.
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CBS Sports has a popular Champions League studio show that airs mostly on Paramount+. The show features hosts Kate Scott, Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry, and Micah Richards, who are known for their friendly teasing and genuine discussions about soccer.
Key Facts
The Champions League studio show is mostly broadcast on Paramount+, CBS’s streaming service.
Hosts include Kate Scott (the main presenter), Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry, and Micah Richards.
The hosts have good chemistry and often tease each other on air, adding to the show’s appeal.
CBS got the rights to broadcast the Champions League in 2021, after ESPN, Fox Sports, and Turner Sports had it at different times.
The show is filmed in the UK but aimed at an American audience, allowing hosts to be more relaxed.
Thierry Henry focuses on explaining the game clearly and sincerely for viewers.
Before CBS’s involvement, Champions League coverage in the U.S. was less emphasized and often seen as filler content.
The show’s authentic and candid style has helped it stand out to American soccer fans.
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Valdas Dambrauskas, the coach of Azerbaijani football club Sabah, will manage his team in the Champions League at Old Trafford, England. His coaching career started 20 years ago after he used winnings from a Lithuanian gameshow to move to London and begin coaching, eventually earning important badges and working with various teams.
Key Facts
Valdas Dambrauskas is the coach of Sabah football club, which is competing in the Champions League.
He first moved to London in 2002 after winning about £725 from a Lithuanian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?".
The money helped him start coaching courses to earn official coaching licenses.
Dambrauskas worked many casual jobs and coached at community projects, semi-professional clubs, and youth programs in England.
He was the first Lithuanian to gain a UEFA coaching license through the London Football Association.
He spent five years coaching for Manchester United Soccer Schools.
Dambrauskas started coaching because he knew he would not make it as a professional player but wanted to stay involved in football.
His career path has taken him across Europe and back to England for high-level football competitions.
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This year’s US Open tennis tournament in New York has seen increased noise and distractions from fans, including social media influencers filming during matches and some spectators behaving disruptively. Players and observers have reported issues like loud conversations, fans using phones, and the smell of marijuana affecting the atmosphere.
Key Facts
The US Open takes place at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, a naturally noisy city.
Influencers filming and dancing during matches have caused interruptions.
Some players, like Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka, have been upset by fan distractions.
A drunk spectator was removed during a match due to bad behavior.
Fans often talk loudly, use phones, and jostle in crowded areas.
The event heavily features commercial advertising and sponsorships that attract influencers.
Organizers rely on brand partnerships, making it hard to limit influencer presence.
The tournament blends tennis with entertainment and marketing, which affects the fan experience.
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Tyson Fury says he is looking for a new opponent for November and has challenged Oleksandr Usyk, even though he is signed to fight Anthony Joshua. The planned fight between Joshua and Fury is delayed because of disagreements over where it should happen, with options including the US and Wembley Stadium in London.
Key Facts
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have contracts to fight in November.
There is a disagreement about the fight location: Joshua wants Wembley Stadium in London, promoters prefer a US venue like Madison Square Garden.
Fury posted a video claiming Joshua is backing out of the fight.
Fury challenged Oleksandr Usyk, who is now coaching Joshua and has beaten Fury twice before.
Saudi Arabian promoter Sela is organizing the fight and signed both fighters separately.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan wants the fight to happen at Wembley and has offered support.
Talks about the location are ongoing but no official announcement has been made yet.
A later fight time in London could help US TV viewers watch live.
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World Rugby is testing a smaller size 4.5 ball in the women's WXV Global Series, which is about 3% smaller than the size 5 ball used in men's rugby. Some players find the smaller ball harder to use, especially for specific skills like throwing and kicking, while others see benefits like better grip.
Key Facts
The smaller ball trial is happening during the WXV Global Series in September and October.
The size 4.5 ball is the same weight as the size 5 but about 3% smaller.
England hooker May Campbell said the smaller ball can cause inaccurate throws.
England fly-half Helena Rowland reported more errors in kicking and passing with the smaller ball.
Wales wing Lisa Neumann likes the smaller ball because it improves grip.
World Rugby believes the smaller ball suits women's physical differences and might improve their skills.
Some players feel the change is sudden and lack clear data on its benefits.
England's head coach John Mitchell said it's too early to judge the smaller ball's impact and wants to see results from upcoming matches.
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Notre Dame beat Wisconsin 41-13 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. After a close first half, Notre Dame pulled away in the second half with strong plays from quarterback CJ Carr and running back Aneyas Williams.
Key Facts
Notre Dame was ranked No. 4 in college football during this game.
The game took place at Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers.
Notre Dame led 13-10 at halftime before winning 41-13.
CJ Carr threw two touchdown passes and completed 19 of 29 passes for 239 yards.
Aneyas Williams ran for 90 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Wisconsin was considered a three-touchdown underdog and struggled to keep up.
James Flanigan, a Green Bay local, scored Notre Dame’s first touchdown; his father and grandfather also played for the Packers.
This was the first college football game at Lambeau Field since 2016.
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Christopher Bell won the Southern 500 NASCAR race by passing defending champion Kyle Larson with 18 laps left. This was Bell's first win after a long streak of second-place finishes, and it helped him move to second place in the Chase standings.
Key Facts
Christopher Bell drives for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Bell had seven second-place finishes this season before this win.
This was Bell’s first win at Darlington Raceway in 15 tries.
Bell broke a 33-race winless streak that dated back to last September.
Kyle Larson stayed on the track during a late caution to keep the lead but was passed by Bell.
Chase drivers took nine of the top 10 spots in this race.
Bell’s win moved him to second place in the Chase points, behind his teammate Denny Hamlin.
Bell plans to keep working hard, saying he needs more wins to compete for the championship.
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Lucas Carneiro kicked a 48-yard field goal as time ran out to give No. 9 Ole Miss a 41-38 win over No. 24 Louisville on Sunday night in Nashville. The game was close and exciting, with big plays in the second half from both teams before Ole Miss secured the victory.
Key Facts
The game was part of the Music City Kickoff and featured two ranked college football teams.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 351 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for one touchdown in the second half.
Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz, starting his first game, made two late touchdowns to tie the game before Ole Miss won.
Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy ran for 61 yards and scored a touchdown but left with a thigh injury.
The game was described by coaches as a hard-fought and exciting contest, beneficial for college football fans.
This was Louisville’s first loss of the season, leaving them with a 0-1 record.
The win was important for Ole Miss as they recovered from a tough ending last season to make it to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
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Washington, ranked No. 17, won the Apple Cup football game against Washington State with a score of 24-10, despite having difficulties with their offense. Washington’s quarterback Demond Williams Jr. threw for 268 yards and scored a touchdown, while Washington State’s new quarterback, Caden Pinnick, made his debut and also scored a touchdown.
Key Facts
Washington beat Washington State 24-10 in the Apple Cup football game on September 6, 2026.
Washington’s quarterback Demond Williams Jr. threw for 268 yards and one touchdown and scored a 5-yard touchdown run.
Washington State’s quarterback Caden Pinnick, a transfer from UC Davis, threw for 142 yards and scored a touchdown in his first game with the Cougars.
Washington struggled offensively but managed to secure the win.
Washington State missed two field goals and failed to convert on 11 third-down attempts out of 11 tries.
Washington State’s coach is Kirby Moore, and it is his first season coaching the team.
Washington moved from the Pac-12 conference to the Big Ten, while Washington State remained in a rebuilt Pac-12.
Last season, Washington had a 9-4 record and won the LA Bowl against Boise State.
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