France lost their key defender William Saliba to a non-contact injury during the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal against Spain. France conceded their first goal of the tournament in this match after a penalty was awarded to Spain in the 20th minute.
Key Facts
France had not fallen behind in any of their first six World Cup matches before facing Spain.
Lucas Digne committed a penalty by kicking Spain’s Lamine Yamal in the thigh while trying to clear the ball.
Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty, giving Spain the lead.
William Saliba, who had played almost every minute for France in the tournament, was injured without contact.
Saliba was replaced by Maxence Lacroix in the match.
Saliba has been an important player for France and also helps Arsenal, who recently won the Premier League.
Saliba was uncertain to play in the World Cup earlier due to a back injury.
Before this game, France had conceded only two goals in the whole tournament.
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The Washington Wizards have decided to stop AJ Dybantsa, their top draft pick, from playing the rest of the NBA Summer League to avoid injury. Dybantsa showed strong performances in two games, but the team prefers to keep him healthy for the upcoming regular season.
Key Facts
AJ Dybantsa is the Wizards' No. 1 draft pick and played two Summer League games.
He scored 35 points in his first game, tying a rookie record for a debut.
Dybantsa averaged 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2.5 steals, 1.5 blocks, and played about 25 minutes per game.
The Wizards also shut down players Will Riley and Tre Johnson from the Summer League.
Wizards coach T.J. Sorrentine said the players had enough preparation from camp and games.
The Wizards are 2-0 in games Dybantsa played during Summer League.
Dybantsa should play a key role next season alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis.
The NBA regular season schedule begins in late October but has not been released yet.
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James Cook, a top running back for the Buffalo Bills, sees the 2026 season as a crucial chance for the team to win a Super Bowl. Despite strong individual performances and consistent playoff appearances, the Bills have struggled to reach the championship, prompting coaching changes and new player additions to strengthen the team.
Key Facts
James Cook was a second-round NFL draft pick in 2022 and has improved each year.
In 2025, Cook led the league with 1,621 rushing yards and scored 12 rushing touchdowns.
Cook was named to the Pro Bowl three times and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2025.
The Buffalo Bills have made the playoffs seven years in a row but have not won the Super Bowl.
The team fired head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons and hired Joe Brady as the new head coach for 2026.
Buffalo also added new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard and acquired several new players, including DJ Moore and Bradley Chubb.
Josh Allen, the Bills’ star quarterback, is considered one of the best players and is still performing at a high level.
Fans and players have high expectations for the 2026 season to break past previous playoff losses.
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Rory McIlroy, a top golfer who has won the Masters twice in a row, said he does not worry much about his legacy or how people will remember him. He and another top golfer, Scottie Scheffler, both said they focus on living their lives rather than trying to make history.
Key Facts
Rory McIlroy has won the Masters tournament two times in a row.
McIlroy is one of six men in golf history to complete a "career Grand Slam," meaning he has won all four major golf tournaments at least once.
McIlroy said he does not care much about how his legacy will be remembered after he dies.
Scottie Scheffler, the current World No. 1 golfer, expressed similar thoughts about not playing for a place in history.
Both golfers shared the idea that life ends and they focus on what they do now.
McIlroy is preparing for the 2026 Open Championship and will start his first round on Thursday at 10:15 a.m. ET.
He will play with golfers Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick in that round.
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Leeds United have agreed to pay £34.1 million to the Italian club Sassuolo for defender Tarik Muharemovic. The 23-year-old Bosnia-Herzegovina international has not yet finalized personal terms or completed a medical.
Key Facts
Leeds United agreed a £34.1 million fee with Sassuolo for defender Tarik Muharemovic.
Muharemovic is 23 years old and plays as a centre-back (defender).
Other Premier League clubs are also interested in signing him.
He would replace Pascal Struijk, who recently moved to Brighton for £20 million.
Muharemovic played three matches for Bosnia-Herzegovina in the recent World Cup.
He started his career in Austria with Wolfsberger in 2021 and later joined Juventus but did not play for their main team.
Juventus will receive half of the transfer fee due to a clause from a previous deal.
Muharemovic was involved in a World Cup incident where a US player was red-carded but later had that suspension lifted after President Trump and White House officials intervened.
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Jordan Henderson and Jarell Quansah will not play for England in the World Cup semi-final against Argentina. Henderson is recovering from arm surgery, and Quansah is suspended because of a red card.
Key Facts
Jordan Henderson is recovering from surgery on a broken arm.
Jarell Quansah received a red card in the last 16 match and is suspended.
England’s coach, Thomas Tuchel, can choose from other players for the upcoming match.
The starting defense used in the quarter-final against Norway included Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guehi, and Nico O'Reilly.
Coach Tuchel liked how the defense performed in the win against Norway.
Declan Rice got sick before the Norway game but has since improved and trained fully.
Rice is expected to play in the semi-final match in Atlanta.
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Brian Kelly, former Notre Dame football coach, clarified that he never said Notre Dame could not win a national championship. He explained he chose to leave to coach at LSU because he wanted to be at a place with a chance to win a title. Kelly was fired by LSU during the 2025 season after mixed results.
Key Facts
Brian Kelly left Notre Dame in 2021 to become LSU's head coach.
Kelly denied saying Notre Dame could not win a national championship.
He said people misunderstood his words; he wanted to coach where winning a championship was possible.
Kelly spent over a decade coaching Notre Dame and often had strong seasons.
Notre Dame played in national championship games but lost in 2012, 2018, and 2020.
Kelly had good early seasons at LSU but was fired during the 2025 season after a 5-3 start.
Marcus Freeman is now Notre Dame’s head coach and recently nearly won a national title.
Notre Dame’s last national championship was in 1988.
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LeBron James is deciding between signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Golden State Warriors as a free agent. Experts suggest the Warriors might be his preferred choice because of his friendships there, easy travel to his home, and the fun and happiness he values most.
Key Facts
LeBron James has narrowed his free agency choices to Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.
His friendship with Draymond Green is a strong reason to choose the Warriors.
The Warriors’ location allows quick flights to James' home in Los Angeles.
Playing for Golden State means less pressure as there are other strong teammates.
Fun and happiness, not just winning or money, are his main priorities.
James has a good relationship with Warriors players like Steph Curry and coach Steve Kerr.
Cleveland is his hometown, and fans expect him to win one last championship there.
Some analysts compare his decision to other athletes choosing teams based on lifestyle and comfort.
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Golfer Ludvig Aberg lost his golf bag while traveling to the Scottish Open, which caused a delay in receiving his equipment. When he finally got his bag, his driver was broken, affecting his performance in recent tournaments.
Key Facts
Ludvig Aberg is a 26-year-old Swedish golfer competing in major tournaments.
His golf bag was lost during travel and arrived three days late.
Upon arrival, his driver was broken in half.
Aberg shot 2-under 68 and 1-over 71 in the Scottish Open but missed the cut.
This was his first time missing the cut since January at the Farmers Insurance Open.
He has had solid results in majors this year, including top-25 finishes at The Masters, PGA Championship, and U.S. Open.
Aberg’s best finish at The Open Championship was tied for 23rd place last year.
He will start his next round at The Open Championship on Thursday at 10:04 a.m. ET.
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France and Spain will play each other in a World Cup semifinal match in Arlington, Texas. Both teams have strong records in the tournament, with France’s Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s young player Lamine Yamal leading their teams. Only one of these teams can advance to the final held in New Jersey.
Key Facts
France and Spain are meeting in a World Cup semifinal on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.
France has scored 14 goals and conceded 2 so far, with Mbappé scoring 8 goals.
Mbappé has 20 goals in 20 World Cup games and is close to tying Messi’s career World Cup goal record.
Spain’s teen player Lamine Yamal recently turned 19 and has scored one goal while recovering from a hamstring injury.
Spain has scored 10 goals and conceded 1 in this World Cup so far, with late goals from substitute Mikel Merino.
Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simón held a World Cup record of 650 minutes without conceding a goal until recently.
Both teams have faced each other twice in recent semifinal matches, with Spain winning both times.
The World Cup final will be Sunday in New Jersey, with Argentina vs. England playing the other semifinal.
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Aston Villa football club has signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda, the country's tourism board, which will appear on their team shirts. Human rights group Amnesty International has warned the deal could be used by Rwanda to improve its image despite allegations of involvement in conflict and human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Key Facts
Aston Villa signed a multi-year, £20 million per year deal with Visit Rwanda for shirt sponsorship.
The sponsorship covers men's, women's, and academy teams.
Amnesty International UK warns Rwanda is using sports to “sportswash” its human rights record.
Rwanda faces accusations from the Democratic Republic of Congo of supporting armed groups and military actions in Congo.
The Democratic Republic of Congo filed a case in the International Court of Justice against Rwanda last month.
Visit Rwanda has similar sponsorship deals with Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris St-Germain.
Supporters and human rights groups have criticized those deals due to Rwanda’s alleged role in regional conflict and abuses.
Aston Villa replaced gambling sponsor Betano following Premier League rules on gambling logos on shirts.
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FIFA revealed six entertainers who will perform at the closing ceremony of the men's World Cup final. The event will take place on Sunday at MetLife Stadium before the game starts.
Key Facts
Six celebrities will perform at the World Cup final closing ceremony.
Performers include singers Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, and Robbie Williams.
Streamer IShowSpeed, also known as Darren Watkins Jr., is one of the entertainers.
The ceremony will happen before the match begins.
The final game and ceremony are at MetLife Stadium.
The announcement was made by FIFA on Tuesday.
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Spain’s former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said France’s football team’s success comes from having diverse players rather than only French-born athletes. A sociologist explained that racism against French football players, like Kylian Mbappé, reflects deeper social and political issues related to identity and exclusion in Western countries.
Key Facts
Mariano Rajoy credited France’s football success to its multicultural team, implying it has “no French players” in the traditional sense.
Racism against players like Kylian Mbappé is not just about sport but reflects wider social debates about race, immigration, and national identity.
Dr. Leon Moosavi is a sociologist specializing in race and religion at the University of Liverpool.
The debate over racist abuse in football links to broader political and social conflicts in Western democracies.
The article connected football issues to topics of extremist political language and exclusion in society.
The discussion took place around the time of the 2026 World Cup semifinal between Spain and France.
The article was published by FRANCE 24 on July 14, 2026.
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Spain, France, Argentina, and England are all strong teams competing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy. The tournament is nearing its final matches, with fans eager to see which country will win.
Key Facts
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is an international soccer tournament.
Spain, France, Argentina, and England are top contenders.
The competition is reaching its final stages.
Fans are closely watching the matches.
ESPN's F-C host Dan Thomas provided analysis on the tournament.
The World Cup trophy is awarded to the winning team.
The article discusses expectations for the remaining games.
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A local artist in Quinton, Birmingham, painted a large mural of football stars Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers eating orange chips on the wall of a fish and chip shop. The mural has become very popular, drawing many visitors and boosting business at the shop while celebrating local football talent from the West Midlands area.
Key Facts
The mural features Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers, two football players from the West Midlands.
It was painted by local artist Dion Kitson on the wall of Classic Fryer’s chip shop.
The image shows the players eating the local special, orange battered chips.
The mural attracted a large number of visitors, including children and older people from nearby homes.
Classic Fryer’s owner opened earlier and hired more staff due to increased customer visits.
The mural received praise and shares on social media, including from Bellingham and Rogers.
The artist wanted to promote pride in local sports heroes and challenge negative views about the region.
Residents expressed pride in the players and the positive attention the mural brought to their community.
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The Los Angeles Lakers signed Austin Reaves to a four-year contract extension and added center Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade deal. Reaves praised Kessler as a smart and good defensive player, and the Lakers are preparing to compete strongly in the upcoming season.
Key Facts
Austin Reaves declined a $14.9 million player option and signed a four-year, $185 million contract with the Lakers.
Reaves was undrafted and has become a key player, averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game last season.
The Lakers signed several new players, including Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, and Collin Sexton.
Walker Kessler is a 7-foot-2 center known for his defense and rim protection.
Kessler led the NBA in blocks per game with 2.8 last season before having shoulder surgery.
In five games after surgery, Kessler averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.
The Lakers aim to compete for the NBA title next season with strong players like Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Kessler.
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The Minnesota Timberwolves’ basketball boss, Tim Connelly, talked about their chances of signing star player LeBron James. He said their new team, including LaMelo Ball and others, is very attractive for James as he decides where to play next.
Key Facts
Tim Connelly is the Timberwolves' president of basketball operations.
The team recently acquired LaMelo Ball through a big trade.
The Timberwolves are one of the top teams trying to sign LeBron James in free agency.
Connelly said the current roster should excite players, including James.
Minnesota gave up Naz Reid and Julius Randle in trades to get new players.
The team is looking to add free agent power forwards to fill gaps.
Other teams trying to sign James include the Cavaliers, Heat, Warriors, and 76ers.
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The Atlanta Hawks beat the Boston Celtics 102-90 in the 2026 NBA Summer League. Kobe Johnson led the Hawks with 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in 24 minutes.
Key Facts
The game was part of the 2026 NBA Summer League held in Las Vegas.
Kobe Johnson scored 30 points on 11-for-18 shooting.
Johnson also had 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.
The Hawks took a strong lead in the second quarter with a 16-0 run.
Other key Hawks players included Henri Veesaar (20 points) and Devon Higgs (12 points).
The Celtics had only three players score in double digits, led by Chris Cenac Jr. with 16 points.
The Celtics will play the Sacramento Kings next, and the Hawks will face the Memphis Grizzlies.
Both upcoming games will be held at the Thomas & Mack Center.
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India won the first one-day international cricket match against England by six wickets at Edgbaston, taking the lead in a three-match series. England scored 258 runs but lost wickets quickly, while India chased the target with strong performances from Shubman Gill, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar.
Key Facts
England scored 258 runs in 47.5 overs, with Joe Root scoring an unbeaten 76 and Liam Dawson 68.
India reached 262 runs for four wickets in 45.2 overs, winning by six wickets.
Shubman Gill scored 80 before retiring due to cramp but is expected to play the next game.
Axar Patel took 4 wickets for 62 runs and scored an unbeaten 57 runs in the chase.
Washington Sundar also remained not out with 52 runs, helping India secure the win.
England’s batting collapsed from a strong start, losing six wickets for 107 runs, including a three-wicket loss in six balls.
India’s team included stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, who helped the team perform well.
England’s one-day team has struggled recently, losing 14 out of their last 20 matches.
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The Portland Trail Blazers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 111-84 in a Summer League basketball game in Las Vegas. Portland led from start to finish and had better shooting and few turnovers, which helped them maintain a strong lead throughout the game.
Key Facts
The game took place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Portland won every quarter by at least five points.
The Trail Blazers shot 52% from the field, while the Timberwolves shot 40%.
Portland scored 18 points off turnovers compared to Minnesota’s 1 point.
Portland led in fastbreak points 17-6.
Chris Youngblood scored 20 points with five rebounds and three assists.
Minnesota’s Donovan Williams scored 21 points; Zyon Pullin had 16 points and 10 assists.
After the game, Portland’s Summer League record is 1-2; Minnesota’s is also 1-2.
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