France and Spain will face each other in the World Cup semi-final in Dallas. Both teams have strong histories, with France aiming to reach their third straight final and Spain showing a strong defense.
Key Facts
The semi-final between France and Spain will take place in Dallas, with kickoff at 20:00 BST.
France has won the World Cup twice and could become the third team to reach three consecutive finals.
Spain and France have won the World Cup a total of three times between them.
Spain beat France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals and in a recent Nations League match.
France captain Kylian Mbappe has scored 8 goals so far, tied with Lionel Messi for the most in the tournament.
Spain has conceded only one goal in six games during this World Cup.
Both team coaches, Didier Deschamps (France) and Luis de la Fuente (Spain), expect a tough and exciting match.
Deschamps announced he will step down as France manager after this tournament.
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Dillon Mitchell scored 24 points and led the Boston Celtics to an 87-75 win over the Charlotte Hornets in an NBA Summer League game. Mitchell also made important defensive plays, helping his team take control after a close first half.
Key Facts
Dillon Mitchell was the 40th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Mitchell scored 24 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and made 6 steals and 2 blocks.
The Celtics won the game 87-75 against the Hornets.
The Hornets led early but the Celtics took a 42-40 lead by halftime.
Boston outscored Charlotte 70-54 in the last three quarters.
John Tonje scored 17 points for the Celtics, while Hugo González had 14 points and 4 assists.
Liam McNeeley led the Hornets with 20 points and 8 rebounds.
Christian Anderson, a first-round pick for Charlotte, scored 13 points.
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Malik Dia, an undrafted player, scored 18 points and helped the New Orleans Pelicans win against the Phoenix Suns in a Las Vegas Summer League game. Dia also contributed with rebounds, steals, and blocks during the game, which ended 81-75.
Key Facts
Malik Dia was not selected in the NBA draft a few weeks ago.
Dia scored 18 points and played 23 minutes off the bench.
He also grabbed 8 rebounds, made 2 steals, and blocked 2 shots.
The Pelicans led early and kept control, winning 81-75.
Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 16 points for the Pelicans.
Kobe Bufkin added 15 points with good free throw shooting.
For the Suns, Darius Brown II scored 18 points and Khaman Maluach had 15 points and 15 rebounds.
The game was part of the Las Vegas Summer League, where new and young players showcase their skills.
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Conor McGregor injured his right knee early in his UFC return fight against Max Holloway, causing the fight to stop. He shared that he will need surgery and rehabilitation but plans to continue training and hopes to fight again before his current contract ends.
Key Facts
McGregor returned to UFC after a five-year break following a broken leg injury in 2021.
He injured his right knee in the first minute of his fight with Max Holloway.
The injury happened during a leaping roundhouse kick when he landed awkwardly.
The fight was stopped 1 minute and 9 seconds into the match due to the injury.
McGregor said he will undergo surgery and rehabilitation ("prehab").
He expressed hope to return to martial arts practice and fight again.
Many fighters had suggested McGregor retire after the injury.
The injury might be a torn ACL or similar ligament damage, which could keep him out for months to a year.
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Diego Luna, a 22-year-old midfielder for Real Salt Lake, was not selected for the U.S. men’s national soccer team roster for the 2026 World Cup. He said he is disappointed but plans to work hard to possibly play in the 2030 World Cup.
Key Facts
Diego Luna appeared in a Nike campaign for the U.S. men’s and women’s national soccer teams earlier this year.
Luna was expected to make the 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup but was not chosen.
He has played 18 games for the U.S. men’s national team, known as USMNT.
Luna said missing the team is hard but he will focus on smaller goals and prepare for the future.
The U.S. team lost 4-1 to Belgium in the 2022 World Cup Round of 16 and has not reached the quarterfinals since 2002.
Luna is known for being fast and energetic on the field and quickly became a fan favorite.
The USMNT has been eliminated in the Round of 16 in four of the last five World Cups they played in.
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Jordan Spieth won his third major golf championship at Royal Birkdale in 2017 at age 23. He will play again this week at The Open Championship, hoping to win another major title.
Key Facts
Spieth won The Open Championship in 2017 with a score 12 under par.
That victory was his third major win in two years.
Spieth considers The Open Championship one of the most important golf tournaments globally.
He enjoys the experience of finishing at the 18th hole of The Open, calling it unique.
Since 2017, Spieth has finished second in 2021 and eighth in 2022 at different courses.
Last year, Spieth finished tied for 40th place at Royal Portrush.
Spieth’s first round this week starts at 5:09 a.m. Eastern time.
He will play alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm in the opening round.
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NBA player Brandon Clarke was stopped by police in Arkansas for speeding six weeks before his unexplained death in Los Angeles at age 29. Police said he was driving over 100 miles per hour in his new Corvette at the time of the stop.
Key Facts
Brandon Clarke was a player for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA.
He died mysteriously in Los Angeles this spring at age 29.
Six weeks before his death, he was pulled over by Arkansas police.
Police reported Clarke was driving a new Corvette.
The reason for the stop was that he was speeding well over 100 miles per hour.
The police stop was captured on video.
Clarke’s death is under scrutiny, but details remain unclear.
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Over 100,000 people gathered at Oslo’s Royal Palace to celebrate Norway’s national football team after they reached the World Cup quarterfinals but lost to England. Crown Prince Haakon led the crowd in a final “Viking row” cheer.
Key Facts
Norway’s national football team reached the World Cup quarterfinals.
They were eliminated after losing to England.
More than 100,000 people came to the Royal Palace in Oslo to celebrate the team.
Crown Prince Haakon led the crowd in a “Viking row” celebration.
The event took place on the steps of the Royal Palace.
The celebration happened soon after Norway’s exit from the World Cup.
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A new book called “One Day in September” tells the story of how baseball’s All-Star Game started more than 100 years ago in Boston. The All-Star Game will be played soon in Philadelphia, where the best baseball players will compete.
Key Facts
The MLB All-Star Game is a special event where baseball’s best players play together.
The game’s origin dates back over one hundred years to Boston.
The history behind this event was not widely known until the new book revealed it.
The book is titled “One Day in September.”
Author Scott Reich wrote the book.
Jeffrey Brown discussed the book with Reich in a program called CANVAS.
The upcoming All-Star Game will take place in Philadelphia.
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Six weeks before his death, NBA player Brandon Clarke was stopped by police in Arkansas for speeding and found with kratom, an herbal substance. Clarke died in Los Angeles in May, and officials are still investigating the cause of his death.
Key Facts
Brandon Clarke was pulled over for speeding over 100 mph in Arkansas.
Police found bags labeled as kratom, a green powder from a Southeast Asian tree, in his car.
Kratom can act as a stimulant or sedative and may cause addiction or health problems.
Kratom is illegal in Arkansas but legal in Tennessee, where Clarke played.
Clarke was charged with two felonies, including drug trafficking, and three misdemeanors.
Clarke died in Los Angeles on May 11, six weeks after his arrest.
The Los Angeles Medical Examiner is still investigating the cause of Clarke’s death.
The investigation is ongoing, and the cause of death has not yet been determined.
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More than 100,000 people in Oslo welcomed the Norwegian football team after they lost to England in the World Cup quarterfinals. Despite the loss, fans celebrated the team's achievement with a big parade and a royal audience.
Key Facts
Norway lost 2-1 to England in extra time during the World Cup quarterfinals.
Over 100,000 fans gathered in Oslo to celebrate the Norwegian football team.
The team received a water cannon salute upon arrival in Norway.
Players attended a meeting with King Harald at the Royal Palace.
The celebration included a parade through the main street, Karl Johans gate.
Erling Haaland left early and did not join the final celebration on the palace steps.
Crown Prince Haakon led fans in a “Viking row” drum performance for the team.
The team planned to continue celebrations on an open bus parade around Oslo.
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England will decide shortly whether Declan Rice can play in the World Cup semi-final against Argentina. Rice has been sick recently but is expected to recover enough to possibly start the match.
Key Facts
Declan Rice got sick before England's quarter-final match versus Norway and was taken out at half-time.
The illness started after England’s win against Mexico in the last 16 round.
Rice stayed in bed for three days before the Norway game.
His health has improved over the last two days.
England’s medical team will make a late decision on whether he can play.
Rice has also had a nerve problem causing pain in his lower back and hamstring for months.
He has played almost every World Cup game for England so far, except one due to injury.
The semi-final match will be on Wednesday in Atlanta.
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Police in Cape Town, South Africa, are investigating the death of Jayden Adams, a 25-year-old South African football player who recently participated in the FIFA World Cup. Adams was found dead at his home shortly after returning from North America, where he played in the tournament.
Key Facts
Jayden Adams was a midfielder on South Africa’s national football team.
He played in three matches during the FIFA World Cup, starting two of them.
Adams’s grandmother died one day before a World Cup match, but he still played in that game.
Police have not yet revealed the cause of his death.
Adams was found dead in his home in the Schotsche Kloof area of Cape Town.
The South African Football Players Union confirmed his death on Saturday.
A moment of silence was held for Adams before a World Cup quarterfinal match in Miami.
South Africa’s minister of sports praised Adams for his dedication and character during the tournament.
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France and Spain will play against each other in the first semi-final of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday. France is aiming for their third World Cup win, while Spain, who won once in 2010, are considered favorites by some experts. Key players include France’s Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s young star Lamine Yamal.
Key Facts
The 2026 World Cup semi-final between France and Spain will take place on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.
France has won the World Cup twice (2018 and before) and was runner-up in 2022.
Spain won the World Cup once, in 2010, and are seen as favorites this year.
France’s main attack includes Kylian Mbappé, who has scored 8 goals in the tournament, and players like Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise.
Spain’s team is known for technical skill, with Lamine Yamal, a young star who won player of the match in the last game, expected to make an impact.
France’s coach Didier Deschamps is coaching his last tournament after 14 years in charge.
Spain defeated France in recent important matches, including the Euro 2024 semi-final.
Spain’s Yamal said Spain is not afraid of France, highlighting Spain’s confidence as European champions.
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Belgium captain Youri Tielemans is expected to join Manchester United after the club activates his £35 million release clause from Aston Villa. Tielemans helped Aston Villa win the Europa League this season and played a key role for Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup before getting injured.
Key Facts
Manchester United is close to signing Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million (about $46.7 million).
Tielemans has a contract with Aston Villa until June 2028.
Aston Villa wanted to keep Tielemans and offered him a new contract, but the release clause requires them to accept the offer.
Tielemans moved to Aston Villa in 2023 and previously played for Leicester City after transferring from Monaco in 2019.
He helped Aston Villa win the Europa League, their first trophy since 1996.
Tielemans played a crucial role for Belgium in the 2026 World Cup, scoring important goals in the knockout stage.
He missed the quarterfinal match against Spain due to an injury in the warm-up.
Belgium was eliminated by Spain with a 2-1 loss in the quarterfinals.
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Paul Pierce, a former NBA player, said LeBron James was the toughest opponent he ever faced. Pierce explained that playing multiple playoff series against James was physically and mentally challenging.
Key Facts
Paul Pierce played 19 seasons in the NBA and was a 10-time All-Star.
Pierce led the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship in 2008.
In a podcast, Pierce named LeBron James as the hardest opponent he ever played against.
Pierce said facing James in many playoff games was exhausting because of the physical and mental effort required.
Pierce also mentioned other great players like Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, and Allen Iverson.
LeBron James is entering his 24th NBA season and is currently a free agent.
Possible teams for James include the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
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Tickets for the World Cup semifinals vary greatly in price, with the Argentina vs. England match costing more than twice as much as the France vs. Spain match. Prices for World Cup games fluctuate due to high demand, especially in the U.S., where many matches are held and dynamic pricing is used.
Key Facts
France (ranked #1) will play Spain (ranked #3) in Dallas; tickets were priced at $1,325 as of Monday.
Argentina, the defending champions, will play England in Atlanta; tickets for this match cost $2,841, almost twice the price of the France-Spain game.
Tickets for the third-place match in Miami are priced at $1,543.
The World Cup final in New York/New Jersey has tickets priced at $6,760, down 6% in recent days.
FIFA has faced criticism and a lawsuit over high ticket prices.
Some tickets on resale markets have been priced as high as $2 million.
The high prices are partly due to many matches being hosted in the U.S., a market known for strong sports spending and premium pricing.
FIFA uses dynamic pricing, meaning ticket prices change based on demand and timing.
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Baker Mayfield played through several painful injuries during the 2025 NFL season while leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite these challenges, he completed all 17 games and posted solid stats, but the team finished with an 8-9 record.
Key Facts
Mayfield suffered a sprained MCL and PCL in Week 2 but continued to play most of the season.
He also dealt with a bone bruise in his knee, a bicep tendon injury, and an AC joint sprain.
Mayfield played all 17 games for the Buccaneers for the third year in a row.
He completed 63.2% of his passes, threw for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 2025.
Tampa Bay finished the season with 8 wins and 9 losses.
In 2024, Mayfield threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, showing higher performance than in 2025.
The Buccaneers will begin the 2026 season against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 13.
Mayfield described the pain from injuries as miserable but said toughness shows strong desire.
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England’s left-back Nico O’Reilly is excited to play against Lionel Messi in the World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina. This will be the first time Messi faces England, and O’Reilly sees it as a rare opportunity since Messi is near the end of his career.
Key Facts
England will play Argentina in the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta.
Lionel Messi, 39 years old, has never played against England before.
Messi has scored 21 goals in World Cup history, the most ever.
Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappe are tied for the top scorer race with eight goals each in this tournament.
England defender Nico O’Reilly will likely face Messi one-on-one.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford warns the team to watch out for the whole Argentina team, not just Messi.
The winner of the semi-final will play either France or Spain in the World Cup final on July 19.
The World Cup final will take place at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
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Erling Haaland and the Norway men's national soccer team were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losing to England in the quarterfinals. After returning home to Norway, Haaland shared a photo carrying a taxidermy raccoon he bought in Texas, where Norway won a historic knockout game earlier in the tournament.
Key Facts
Norway lost to England in the World Cup quarterfinals on July 11 in Miami.
Haaland and his teammates returned to Norway on July 13.
Haaland posted a photo of himself holding a taxidermy raccoon, bought in Texas.
Norway won its first-ever World Cup knockout game against Côte d'Ivoire in Texas on June 30.
Haaland also bought cowboy-themed items during his visit to Texas.
Haaland scored seven goals in five World Cup matches, including two against Brazil.
The World Cup semifinals feature France vs. Spain and England vs. Argentina.
The final is scheduled for July 19, 2026.
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