Formula One may end its 2024 season in Europe if races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot happen due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. The sport’s chief said a final decision will be made by mid-September, and Europe’s Imola circuit is a possible replacement venue.
Key Facts
The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for November 29, and the Abu Dhabi race for December 6, but both could be canceled due to the US-Israel war with Iran.
Formula One has set a deadline of mid-September to decide if the races in the Middle East will be held.
If Qatar and Abu Dhabi drop out, the season finale will move to Europe, with Imola in Italy as a likely replacement.
Races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain were canceled earlier this year due to the conflict.
The World Endurance Championship has already moved its Qatar and Bahrain races to European circuits.
The 2027 F1 schedule is not published yet, but Bahrain was expected to open the season before the conflict started.
Formula One aims to hold 24 races next year and plans to add Portugal and Turkey to the calendar.
There is ongoing interest in hosting races in Africa, Asia, and South America, with China currently limited to one race.
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FIFA has proposed creating a $20 billion company to manage the World Cup and other events and wants to sell up to 20% of it to private investors. Football groups from North America, Asia, and Europe criticized FIFA for announcing the plan publicly before consulting them.
Key Facts
FIFA plans a $20 billion commercial subsidiary to run the World Cup and related events.
FIFA would keep control but sell minority stakes worth up to $4.2 billion to private investors.
CONCACAF (North America’s football body) and AFC (Asia’s football body) said they only learned about the plan from the news, not through official talks.
Both groups expressed concern about the lack of proper consultation and the need for good governance.
The AFC called for transparency and discussion before decisions that affect the sport’s future are made.
About 143 out of 211 FIFA member associations’ confederations have raised concerns about this plan.
FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, said FIFA aims to support football’s growth everywhere.
Some national football leaders, like France’s, also said they were not informed and had questions about bringing private investors in.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has given the 211 FIFA member federations until September 19 to accept a one-time $20 million offer tied to a new plan involving private investors. The proposal aims to create a $20 billion FIFA subsidiary partly owned by private investors to manage FIFA competitions like the World Cup. Some soccer organizations, including UEFA and regional bodies, have expressed concern and opposition to the plan.
Key Facts
FIFA President Gianni Infantino wants to create a $20 billion subsidiary, 20% owned by private investors, to manage soccer events.
Each of FIFA’s 211 member federations would get a one-time $20 million payment if they agree by September 19.
The investment is backed by Thrive Capital, the firm of Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared Kushner is President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.
UEFA criticized the plan, saying the World Cup “is not FIFA’s to sell” and plans an emergency meeting to discuss it.
Asian and North American regional soccer bodies also voiced concerns about the process and lack of consultation.
If members reject the plan, they will receive $10 million over the next four years instead of $20 million.
British officials, including Prime Minister Andy Burnham, oppose the plan, emphasizing that football should not be controlled by investors.
The plan forms part of Infantino’s ongoing efforts to change FIFA’s financial and event structures without broad input from soccer groups.
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FIFA plans to sell shares of future World Cups and other events to private investors in a new subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). FIFA will keep majority control but aims to raise about $4.2 billion to increase revenue, a move that has received criticism and possible opposition from UEFA.
Key Facts
FIFA wants to create a $20 billion company called FIFA Forward Enterprise to run the World Cup and other football events.
FIFA will keep the main ownership and control over football rules and competitions.
Minority shares in this company will be sold to private investors to raise money.
The goal is to increase revenue beyond traditional sources like TV rights and sponsorships.
UEFA, the main European football organization, and the UK Prime Minister have criticized the plan.
UEFA has even suggested they might boycott future World Cups if this plan moves forward.
The model is similar to franchise sports like India’s IPL cricket league, where private owners influence decisions.
A US investment firm called Thrive Eternal is proposed to lead the group of investors buying shares.
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Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali said the 2026 season will end in Europe if the war in the Middle East stops races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Some races have been canceled due to the conflict, and F1 has backup plans to keep the season running smoothly despite the issues.
Key Facts
The Qatar and Abu Dhabi races for the 2026 F1 season are currently confirmed but may be canceled if the Middle East conflict continues.
The decision to cancel these races will be made by mid-September.
If canceled, the season finale would move to a European location, likely Imola in Italy.
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races were canceled this year due to the US-Israel–Iran conflict.
Malaysia will host a race in September this year as a substitute for Bahrain.
Domenicali does not plan to hold two races in Las Vegas to protect the event's growth and avoid conflicting with the US NFL season.
The 2026 season is expected to start in Bahrain after two years in Australia, adjusting for the timing of Ramadan.
F1 will aim to keep 24 races in 24 countries next year, with backup plans if the Middle East conflict remains unresolved.
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Jayden Seales took five wickets to help the West Indies win the first Test cricket match against Pakistan by 90 runs in Trinidad and Tobago. The West Indies set Pakistan a target of 211 runs, and Pakistan were bowled out for 120 runs, losing the match with one day left.
Key Facts
Jayden Seales took five wickets for 20 runs in the second innings.
The match took place at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago.
West Indies led by 29 runs after the first innings.
West Indies scored 181 runs in their second innings to set a target of 211 for Pakistan.
Pakistan was bowled out for 120 runs in just over 40 overs.
Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam scored an unbeaten 58 runs.
Shan Masood batted lower than usual due to a finger injury and scored 3 runs.
West Indies captain Roston Chase dedicated the win to Garry Sobers, a cricket great who recently passed away.
The second and final Test will start on Sunday in Port of Spain.
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Formula 1 teams took a break after 11 races in the 2026 season, which has had many new developments. Young driver Kimi Antonelli is now leading his team, the new rules for cars caused problems, and the schedule was affected by a war.
Key Facts
Kimi Antonelli, 19 years old, is performing strongly in the 2026 F1 season, surpassing his teammate George Russell.
Mercedes has been the top team with eight wins and ten pole positions in the first 11 races.
The 2026 F1 season introduced major changes to car design and engines, with a focus on mixing internal combustion engines and electric power.
The new engine rules have caused cars to lose power during races, sometimes making corners less exciting due to the need to save energy.
This energy management led to "yo-yo racing," where cars pass each other repeatedly because of power differences.
Some top drivers, including Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso, have criticized the new engine rules, saying the racing feels less natural and less exciting.
The racing calendar has faced disruptions because of international conflicts.
Teams do not yet know how many races will remain after the summer break.
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Jack Grealish has returned to Manchester City’s training but will not join the club’s tour in Hong Kong and Seoul due to a foot injury he suffered earlier this year. His future at the club is uncertain as he has one year left on his contract and has not played competitively since January.
Key Facts
Grealish is recovering from a foot injury sustained in January while on loan at Everton.
He missed Manchester City’s pre-season tour in Hong Kong and Seoul.
His contract with Manchester City has one year remaining.
New manager Enzo Maresca has not yet decided if Grealish will play a role in the team.
There have been concerns about Grealish’s behavior based on photos showing him drinking in the afternoon.
Grealish was part of Manchester City’s treble-winning team in 2023.
Manchester City took 28 players on the pre-season tour, including some youth players and key first-team members resting after the World Cup.
Fellow midfielder Kalvin Phillips also returns to Manchester City after an unsuccessful loan and looks unlikely to stay.
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Uefa, the main European football organization, will hold an emergency meeting to discuss Fifa’s plan to let outside investors buy shares in its major events like the World Cup. Uefa and some of its members are worried this move could give too much influence to private companies in football’s biggest tournaments.
Key Facts
Fifa wants to create a new company to run the World Cup and other big events and sell parts of it to investors.
Uefa and its 55 member groups oppose this plan, saying it crosses a line and were not consulted beforehand.
Uefa is considering whether to boycott Fifa competitions because of these proposals.
Europe has many of the world’s top teams that make tournaments valuable, so Uefa’s actions could affect the World Cup’s success.
Fifa argues the plan will provide more money to football groups worldwide and offers up to $20 million per member association.
There are concerns the World Cup and related competitions might happen more frequently, stressing the football calendar.
This conflict continues a tense relationship after Uefa opposed a proposal to hold the World Cup every two years.
Uefa’s president Aleksander Ceferin recently boycotted the World Cup final to protest several controversial decisions.
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Zinédine Zidane has been named the new head coach of the French men’s national football team. He signed a four-year contract focusing on leading the team in Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.
Key Facts
Zidane officially became France’s national team manager in July 2026.
His contract will last for four years.
His main goals are the European Championship in 2028 and the World Cup in 2030.
In Italy, Roberto Mancini returned as the national football team manager.
RC Lens is performing well in their pre-season games.
Bradley Barcola may transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Liverpool.
In tennis, Arthur Fils is causing concern, while Adrian Mannarino is surprising fans.
NBA player Draymond Green extended his contract with the Golden State Warriors.
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Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers is dealing with soreness in his right biceps and left knee, which has kept him from pitching since July 3. Despite this, he continues to play as a designated hitter and recently hit his 10th leadoff home run of the season. The team is monitoring his health before deciding when he will return to pitching.
Key Facts
Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 due to soreness in his right biceps and left knee.
He continues to play regularly as the designated hitter for the Dodgers.
Ohtani recently hit his 10th leadoff home run of the season and had a strong game with multiple hits.
He received a lubricant injection in his knee before the All-Star break to help with soreness.
The knee pain is linked to pitching, and it affects his running speed and aggressiveness on bases.
The Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, expects Ohtani to pitch again if his health improves.
Any return to pitching will involve a careful buildup process to prepare him.
Ohtani said he might make a decision about his future after the season regarding his knee issues.
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Yan Diomande, a 19-year-old football player from Ivory Coast, is joining Real Madrid for over £100 million. This transfer makes him the most expensive African player ever and a record signing for both Real Madrid and RB Leipzig.
Key Facts
Diomande is 19 years old and from Ivory Coast.
He is transferring from RB Leipzig to Real Madrid.
The fee is over £100 million, a record for both clubs.
He became well-known within 18 months after playing for Leganes in Spain.
At Leipzig, he scored 13 goals and made 10 assists in his first full season.
Big clubs like Liverpool and Paris St-Germain also wanted to sign him.
Diomande plays as a winger and can use both sides of the field.
He grew up in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and moved to the US at 15 to pursue football.
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Tennis player Ekaterina Alexandrova collapsed during a match in Memphis due to high heat, forcing her to stop playing. She was losing to younger player Kristina Liutova when she fell and needed medical help, ending the match after more than three hours.
Key Facts
Ekaterina Alexandrova is the world number 19 and the top seed at the Memphis Classic.
The match reached temperatures of 34°C (93°F), which is very hot for playing tennis.
Alexandrova was losing the match to 16-year-old Kristina Liutova with scores 7-6, 4-6, 5-4 before collapsing.
She fell to the ground during a point, got medical attention, and then retired from the match.
The match lasted over three hours before Alexandrova had to stop playing.
Kristina Liutova won her first WTA tour match but was emotional after the incident.
Venus Williams lost in the first round of the Mubadala DC Open in Washington DC, beaten by Anastasia Potapova.
Williams won most points on her first serve but struggled with second serve and returns.
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Chelsea Football Club is close to signing Brighton striker Danny Welbeck, who will have a medical check at Stamford Bridge before joining the team in Hong Kong for pre-season training. The club aims to add experienced players like Welbeck as part of new manager Xabi Alonso’s plan to strengthen the squad.
Key Facts
Danny Welbeck, 35, is likely to sign a two-year contract with Chelsea.
Chelsea’s new manager is Xabi Alonso.
Welbeck joined Brighton in 2021 and is their top Premier League scorer.
Chelsea has focused on young players but is now adding older, experienced players.
Chelsea is also trying to sign midfielder Granit Xhaka and defender Maxence Lacroix.
Other players might leave Chelsea on loan or be sold to make room in the squad.
Chelsea’s recent finish in the Premier League was 10th place without winning any trophies.
Welbeck has scored 90 goals in 400 top-level games and previously played for Manchester United and Arsenal.
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Kike Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers returned to playing after recovering from two injuries this season, including a Grade 3 oblique tear and offseason elbow surgery. He used a special injury plan, including stem-cell injections and daily rehab treatments, to speed up his recovery and get back on the field faster than expected.
Key Facts
Hernandez had two major injuries this season: a serious oblique muscle tear and elbow surgery.
He returned to play two days before going back on the injured list with the oblique injury.
Hernandez did not get surgery for the oblique tear but had a stem-cell injection instead.
His rehab included using a hyperbaric chamber, sauna, and cold tub every day.
He focused on careful, daily rehab work and rested to avoid scar tissue buildup.
Hernandez played his first game back against the Seattle Mariners.
He only had four at-bats and played in two games so far after returning.
Hernandez’s return helps the Dodgers by adding an important player back to their team.
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Madias Ngake, a Cameroonian weightlifter, was awarded an Olympic medal seven years after the 2012 London Games due to other athletes being disqualified for doping. She never received the medal because she stayed in the UK after the Games to avoid persecution in Cameroon for her sexuality and will compete for England at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Key Facts
Ngake competed for Cameroon at the 2012 London Olympics and was later awarded a medal after doping disqualifications.
She did not return to Cameroon after the Olympics due to fear for her safety as a lesbian in a country where homosexuality is illegal.
Ngake has lived in the UK for 14 years and currently trains in Nottingham.
Her life after the Olympics was difficult, including time spent without friends, home, or money.
She plans to compete for England at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Ngake won a European bronze medal for Great Britain earlier in 2024.
She was born in Douala, Cameroon, and faced many challenges growing up.
Her goal has been to use sport to change attitudes toward women in Cameroon.
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Josh Allen, quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, is known for his ability to run with the ball as well as throw it. He is close to reaching 5,000 rushing yards and could become only the fourth player ever to score at least six rushing touchdowns in nine straight seasons.
Key Facts
Josh Allen is 6-foot-5 and weighs 237 pounds.
He has nearly 5,000 career rushing yards.
Allen may become the fourth player with six or more rushing touchdowns in nine consecutive seasons.
Only Jim Brown, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Marshall Faulk have done this before.
Allen scored 14 rushing touchdowns last season and has had 12 or more for three years in a row.
He has 79 career rushing touchdowns, ranking 23rd all-time.
Only quarterback Cam Newton comes close, with 75 rushing touchdowns.
Allen has played at least 16 games each season except one and is expected to keep breaking records.
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts started training camp with a new look, wearing only a mustache instead of his usual goatee. Hurts is preparing for the 2026 season with a new offensive coordinator and new wide receivers after the team traded A.J. Brown.
Key Facts
Jalen Hurts appeared at training camp with a mustache and no goatee.
The Eagles lost in the Wild Card round last season to the San Francisco 49ers.
Hurts completed 57.1% of his passes with 168 yards and one touchdown in that playoff game.
Sean Mannion is the new offensive coordinator for the Eagles this season.
Wide receiver A.J. Brown was traded away in the offseason.
New wide receivers Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Dontayvion Wicks joined the team.
Hurts wants to build chemistry with the new offense and players.
He was Super Bowl MVP in 2024 and finished second in MVP voting in 2022.
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Napheesa Collier, a star player for the Minnesota Lynx, recently returned to play after two ankle surgeries. While some see her as a possible trade candidate due to her contract, the Lynx team and coach emphasize that she remains a key player focused on winning a championship this season.
Key Facts
Napheesa Collier is an All-Star player for the Minnesota Lynx.
She recently played her first home game after two ankle surgeries in the offseason.
Collier was picked sixth in the 2019 WNBA draft by the Lynx.
She signed a one-year “supermax” contract for the 2026 season.
Some analysts say her contract makes her a possible trade option.
The Lynx have the best record in the WNBA at 23-6 this season.
Collier said she chose a short contract to focus on recovering and winning this year.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said Collier remains the team’s leader moving forward.
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Kelsey Plum, an All-Star WNBA player currently with the Los Angeles Sparks, may be traded before the trade deadline on August 2. She previously requested a trade from the Las Vegas Aces and signed a one-year deal with the Sparks but might not re-sign with them due to ongoing team issues and injuries this season.
Key Facts
Kelsey Plum won two WNBA titles with the Las Vegas Aces before being traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in January 2025.
Plum signed a one-year contract worth $999,999 with the Sparks.
The Sparks have not yet engaged in serious trade talks involving Plum, though she is considered a likely trade candidate.
Plum has played 12 games this season but has missed significant time due to a sprained ankle and a lower left leg injury.
Plum is 31 years old and has not been prone to injuries in the past.
She helped the Sparks reach their first playoff appearance since 2020 but the team’s decisions have affected their success.
Plum and her agent have declined to comment on her future plans.
If not traded, Plum is expected to attract interest in free agency next season.
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