Liam Prenderville

Borja Iglesias says he will follow protocol and shake Donald Trump’s hand at the World Cup final despite disagreeing with the U.S. President’s values. He expressed discomfort but said he would avoid creating controversy. Iglesias has been vocal on social issues including homophobia and pro‑Palestine protests. Joan Capdevila separately appealed for help after being denied a U.S. visa to attend the match.

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup Task Force, says the United States has the infrastructure and stadium capacity to host a 64-team World Cup and could consider bidding for the 2038 tournament. The US is currently co-hosting the 2026 competition with Canada and Mexico, following the 2030 and 2034 hosting plans. Giuliani said a future bid would not be considered until the current tournament concludes, while human rights groups have raised concerns about the Trump administration's immigration policies. FIFA president Gianni Infantino expects Donald Trump to attend the 2026 final in New Jersey.

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi will miss the team's World Cup group-stage match against Germany in Toronto after failing to obtain permission to enter Canada. He remains in the United States following reports that he was arrested and released over an investigation into whether he deliberately received a yellow card while playing for Nice against Metz. The Ivorian Football Federation said it had not been officially notified of any legal or administrative proceedings, expressed support for Wahi, and said he would remain with the team in the United States until its return.

The PGA Championship released its third-round pin sheet after Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy criticized the difficult setup at Aronimink Golf Club. Scheffler called the pin locations the hardest he had seen on tour, citing unusually manufactured and severe green slopes, while McIlroy shared his concerns. Slow play compounded the problem, but Scheffler said calmer weather and more favorable pin positions could allow players several shots back to re-enter contention. Maverick McNealy and Alex Smalley led the tournament, leaving Scheffler and McIlroy with ground to recover.

Tiger Woods was arrested and charged with DUI involving property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test after his Land Rover overturned on Jupiter Island, Florida. The sheriff said Woods appeared impaired and failed roadside sobriety tests, although he recorded a 0.00 breathalyzer result and no alcohol was suspected. Woods declined a requested urine analysis. Neither Woods nor the driver of the pickup truck and trailer he reportedly overtook was injured.

Cameron Smith is determined to win a fourth BMW Australian PGA Championship after missing the cut by nine shots at Royal Queensland last year, a performance he called “unacceptable.” The Brisbane native says inadequate preparation contributed to that failure and claims he has trained much harder this year. Despite remaining without a LIV Golf victory in 2024, Smith enters the tournament after strong finishes in the Ford NSW Open and Queensland PGA Championship, hoping to convert his recent contention into a win.

CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis shared an Instagram image from a beach getaway while taking a break from her PGA Tour and NFL broadcasting work. The post came as Rory McIlroy celebrated a strong finish to a difficult year with two Dubai victories. McIlroy reflected on overcoming professional and personal challenges and celebrated the win with his wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy, while previous online speculation linking him to Balionis was described as unfounded.

LIV Golf has delivered substantial prize money to many players, but 13 golfers who joined the Saudi-backed circuit have since been dropped or relegated after poor performances. The piece reviews their subsequent careers: some returned to the DP World Tour or Asian Tour, Pablo Larrazabal and Andy Ogletree found notable success, while others—including Chase Koepka, James Piot and Sihwan Kim—have struggled to regain top-level status. Several current LIV players also faced possible relegation ahead of the 2025 season, with a promotion event offering a route back.

David Beckham made a final visit to Sven-Goran Eriksson in Sweden after the former England manager revealed his terminal cancer diagnosis. Beckham brought his private chef to prepare Eriksson’s requested meal of herring, potatoes and elk meat, and the pair spent three hours discussing football and personal matters. After Eriksson’s death at 76, Beckham attended his funeral and shared an emotional tribute, recalling their laughter, tears and Eriksson’s reassurance that everything would be okay.

Russell Wilson is gradually increasing his practice participation as he recovers from a persistent calf injury, but Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says the team is not rushing his return. Justin Fields will make his fifth consecutive start against the Dallas Cowboys after leading Pittsburgh to a 3-1 record and producing strong passing and rushing numbers. Tomlin has not guaranteed that Wilson will reclaim the starting role once healthy, saying Fields' performances could eventually influence the decision, while emphasizing that Wilson's rehabilitation and ability to function safely will remain the immediate priorities.

Patrick Mahomes says Taylor Swift's relationship with Travis Kelce has significantly expanded the Kansas City Chiefs' audience and helped turn the team into a global phenomenon. He praised Swift's interest in football, saying she asks sophisticated questions and has even started suggesting plays. Mahomes also credited her fan base with increasing the sport's appeal among women and girls. The Chiefs have embraced the heightened attention rather than allowing it to distract them, but they entered their season opener against the Baltimore Ravens after losing all three preseason games and targeting a third consecutive Super Bowl title.

South Korean athletes were mistakenly introduced as representatives of North Korea during the Paris 2024 opening ceremony, in both French and English. The International Olympic Committee issued a deep apology, while spokesperson Mark Adams described the incident as a regrettable operational mistake. South Korea’s sports ministry planned to lodge a strong complaint with the French government, and Jang Mi-ran reportedly sought a meeting with IOC president Thomas Bach. The error was particularly sensitive given the continuing division and tensions between the two Koreas.

Justin Rose finished tied for second with Billy Horschel at Royal Troon, two shots behind Xander Schauffele, who won The Open after a six-under-par final round of 65. Rose, whose wait for a first Open title continues, praised Schauffele as an elite competitor and signed autographs for fans. Schauffele said watching the 2016 Stenson-Mickelson final-day duel helped motivate him and described lifting the Claret Jug as a dream come true.

Bryson DeChambeau shot a five-over-par 76 in the first round of The Open at Royal Troon. In a post-round interview, he awkwardly corrected a reporter’s use of “incalculable” with the nonexistent word “incalculatable.” DeChambeau attributed his struggles to cold, firm conditions affecting his golf balls and equipment, as well as limited preparation for rain and wind, but remained confident he could adjust over the weekend.

Keegan Bradley has been appointed captain of Team USA for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. He revealed that predecessor Zach Johnson personally informed him of the appointment, describing Johnson as an idol and expressing sympathy over the criticism he received after leaving Bradley out of the 2023 team. Bradley also said he would select the 12 best available American players regardless of whether they compete on the PGA Tour or LIV Golf, leaving open the possibility of including LIV players.

Rory McIlroy is preparing to defend his Scottish Open title at the Renaissance Club, where victory would bring a prize of about £1.2 million before The Open at Royal Troon. Sports psychologist Jon Adler advised him to accept competitive anxiety and focus on practiced routines rather than trying to suppress worrying thoughts, following McIlroy’s late collapse against Bryson DeChambeau at the US Open. McIlroy has taken time away from golf to recover and rebuild, while the Renaissance Club has commemorated his decisive 202-yard shot from last year’s victory with a plaque.

Sixteen-year-old Luke Littler defeated 2018 champion Rob Cross 6–2 to reach the World Darts Championship final, becoming the youngest player ever to do so. The victory raised his tournament earnings to £200,000, moved him into the top 32 of the PDC Order of Merit and made him favourite for the title after beginning the tournament as a 66/1 outsider. Littler credited his routine and improved composure for his run, while Cross was unable to mount the kind of comeback he produced in the quarter-final.

Michael Owen criticized Wataru Endo for failing to track Cameron Puertas during Union Saint-Gilloise's second goal in Liverpool's 2–1 Europa League defeat. Owen argued that Endo's performance in the holding midfield role remained below Fabinho's previous standard and that he had not established himself as a regular starter under Jürgen Klopp. Endo was substituted at halftime, despite having recently made an impact as a substitute against Fulham.

Reigning PDC world champion Michael Smith says receiving a message from Real Madrid and Germany legend Toni Kroos after his 2023 victory was one of the standout moments of his year. The pair have remained in contact, with Kroos taking an interest in darts. Smith is preparing to defend his title and says he wants to become a multiple world champion, while acknowledging that the pressure and nerves of competing at Alexandra Palace remain important to his motivation.

An independent FA regulatory commission found that the misconduct charge against Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was not proven. Arteta had been charged after calling VAR’s failure to overturn Anthony Gordon’s goal in Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Arsenal an “absolute disgrace.” The commission accepted that Arteta did not intend to insult match officials and considered his concerns about wider VAR problems, as well as the possible meaning of the Spanish word “desgracia.”

West Bromwich Albion suspended a supporter after a hateful social media post referencing former Sunderland mascot Bradley Lowery appeared following West Brom’s 2–1 defeat at Sunderland. Police are investigating, and the fan could receive an indefinite ban from West Brom. Lowery, who died aged six in 2017 after battling neuroblastoma, had become widely admired for his charity fundraising and connection to Sunderland and England. The incident follows the conviction of Sheffield Wednesday fan Dale Houghton for mocking Lowery, highlighting continuing efforts by clubs, police and football authorities to address abusive supporter behaviour.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle United enter the final two Champions League group matches with different qualification prospects. United, bottom of Group A, must avoid defeat at Galatasaray and likely need further favourable results, while Arsenal can qualify with a draw against Lens or if PSV Eindhoven lose. Newcastle need a positive result away to Paris Saint-Germain before a decisive final match against AC Milan. The article also details qualification permutations across all eight groups, including already-qualified teams, battles for group positions and the possibility of Europa League places.

Former England footballer Kieron Dyer underwent a liver transplant in September 2023 after suffering from primary sclerosing cholangitis and spending months in hospital while waiting for a compatible donor. He described the transplant as a second chance at life, expressed profound gratitude to the donor and their family, and said he intends to live more positively and avoid alcohol. Dyer also credited his wife Holly, children and mother for their support and has returned to football as first-team coach at Chesterfield.

Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell says the club's players and staff remain united and determined after the Premier League imposed a record 10-point deduction, dropping Everton to 19th. Everton plans to appeal, while supporters are expected to protest during the match against Manchester United. Thelwell emphasizes the team's recent form, including six wins in nine matches, and argues that although the points have been removed from the table, the squad's unity and motivation remain intact.