How USMNT can clinch Group D in World Cup; Wyndham Clark builds huge U.S. Open lead
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⚽ Five things to know Friday
- The USMNT have an opportunity to win Group D today. The three host teams are back in action at the World Cup this week with Canada rolling to a 6-0 win over Qatar, Mexico squeaking past South Korea in a 1-0 thriller and the United States gearing up for its match against Australia. The USMNT have a chance to clinch Group D and punch their ticket to the Round of 32. Heading to the knockout stage is as straightforward as beating the Aussies. Winning the group with one match to spare requires a bit of help. The biggest question facing the Americans is whether Christian Pulisic will bounce back from his calf injury and rejoin the starting 11. We predicted what the lineup could look like without him, but there is a real chance the star will be available for Mauricio Pochettino.
- Wyndham Clark holds a massive lead at the U.S. Open. The 2023 champion is well on his way to another major win, but there is still plenty of time for things to change. In fact, Clark has not even played through 18 holes. Weather impacted the first round and led to its suspension, forcing Clark to call it a day at 6 under with two holes to play. He is four strokes clear of the pack, and if his lead holds, it would be the largest in an opening round at the U.S. Open since 1933. Rory McIlroy is among those within striking distance of the early leader, but before he tees off on Friday, he will have to wait for the first round to conclude. Here are the updated tee times, which are delayed by just 15 minutes. The U.S. Open resumed its opening round this morning.
- The Knicks and their fans put on a show at the NBA championship parade. The NBA Finals were a spectacle thanks to the Knicks winning their first title in 53 years, and their parade was just as entertaining. Franchise legends and celebrities turned out in Lower Manhattan while Jalen Brunson called out his critics, NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani delivered an impassioned speech, Alicia Keys put on a performance and more. We captured all the best moments from a parade to remember.
- MLB changed the Home Run Derby format again, and the draft could be next. It's time to re-learn how the Home Run Derby works. Another major rule change is in store for this summer's event, as MLB will reportedly remove the clock and go back to a swing-based format with 20 per player in the first round and 15 each in the second round and finals. One player who wants to try out the new rules: Ben Rice. The Yankees first baseman, who ranks fifth in baseball in round-trippers, said he would "love" to participate if invited. If that's not enough change for you, then buckle up for a potential draft overhaul. MLB proposed sweeping changes, including making high school players ineligible.
- All 32 NFL teams have now completed their mandatory minicamps. We learned a lot over the last week as the final 13 teams finished up a major part of their offseason programs. Among the biggest takeaways was Joe Burrow comparing this year's Bengals squad to his 2019 national championship team at LSU, which only adds to the buzz surrounding what might be a Super Bowl dark horse. Meanwhile, on the injury front, Bo Nix was limited to individual work with the Broncos due to the ankle injury he sustained last postseason, but insisted he is ready to go full speed.
📈📉 Do not miss this: World Cup Power Rankings
The first week of the World Cup taught us that no matter how confident we are in our predictions, there will always be surprises when the 48 best international soccer teams square off in the sport's biggest tournament. Now that every squad has played at least one game, it's time to revisit our power rankings and adjust as necessary. In some cases, we were proven spot on. In others, there are serious alterations to be made.
We see you, Cabo Verde. While they entered the tournament two spots out of last place in our rankings, the World Cup debutants are suddenly up one-sixth of the way to the top as the biggest risers thus far. Drawing with a Spain team that many think will win the Cup will do that. Here's their new tier, which you will notice includes a couple of other climbers:
36. Paraguay (↓1)
37. Tunisia (↓6)
38. Cabo Verde (↑8)
39. DR Congo (↑5)
40. New Zealand (↑7)
For every team that rises, one must fall. Cue Belgium, which is down six spots to No. 21 with the biggest drop of any team. Francesco Porzio explained the Belgian slide:
- Porzio: "Belgium's golden generation is nearing its end, and it showed in their opening match. While Romelu Lukaku made a difference off the bench and played a key role in Egypt's own goal, a draw is simply not the statement Belgium needed to make."
🏈 Picking every Big Ten game in 2026
The Big Ten accounts for each of the last three College Football Playoff national champions, so the question for 2026 is which teams have the best chances of keeping that streak alive. Our Brad Crawford set out to find the answer by picking every single game for all 18 programs. Through that process, a clear top tier emerged. He predicts three Big Ten teams in the CFP, all of which are seeded No. 8 or better.
The reigning national champions are one of those playoff teams. Indiana misses out on the Big Ten Championship Game in Crawford's projections, but at 10-2 overall, it firmly gets back into the 12-team field as a threat to win it all again. Here are the Hoosiers' projected wins and losses:
- Wins: North Texas, Howard, Western Kentucky, Northwestern, Ohio State, at Rutgers, at Nebraska, Minnesota, USC, Purdue
- Losses: at Michigan, at Washington
Beating Ohio State but still falling short of the conference title is a tough break for Curt Cignetti's squad. And speaking of the Buckeyes, the date with the defending champs is one of numerous marquee matchups on a slate loaded with potential pitfalls.
- Crawford: "The schedule gets tricky for the Buckeyes, who are once again loaded despite heavy NFL Draft losses. Ryan Day's team won't be immune to a pair of regular-season stumbles against championship-caliber opponents, one coming outside of conference play in Week 2 against the Longhorns."
👍👎 The best (and not-so-best) of the rest
- Here's how Jacob Misiorowski leveled up to become one of the best pitchers in baseball.
- Olivia Miles continues to separate from the pack atop our WNBA Rookie Rankings, while Paige Bueckers earned an "A" on our second-year player report card.
- Trae Young will reportedly decline his $49 million player option, setting up a big decision in free agency.
- Mike Trout might be in danger of missing the All-Star Game due to his hamstring injury.
- The Yankees can thank Paul Goldschmidt for keeping them afloat while their top batters recover from injuries.
- The Protect College Sports Act is one step closer to approval after passing a Senate committee vote.
- UFC Freedom 250 more than doubled the previous Paramount+ viewership record for an exclusive live event.
- Lionel Messi's father is in the midst of a health situation, which explains why the Argentina superstar was so emotional during his World Cup opener.
- Stefon Diggs confirmed his interest in potentially signing with the Commanders.
- For the first time in years, the Cowboys head into the summer without any contract drama. There's a welcome calmness inside The Star.
- Less than a week out from the NBA Draft, our Cameron Salerno foresees the Nets making a big bet on Nate Ament in his latest mock draft.
- Multiple aces nearly threw no-hitters in the last week, which raises the question, who will be the next pitcher to complete a no-no?
- These eight college football players are on bust watch. Which of the former five-star recruits will break through?
- We ranked the 25 greatest players in Steelers history.
📺 What we're watching this weekend
Friday
⛳ U.S. Open, second round, 1:30 p.m. on NBC
⚾ Blue Jays at Orioles, 2:20 p.m. on Peacock
⚽ World Cup: United States vs. Australia, 3 p.m. on Fox
⚽ World Cup: Scotland vs. Morocco, 6 p.m. on Fox
⚾ Reds at Yankees, 7:05 p.m. on Peacock
⚾ Nationals at Rays or Brewers at Braves, 7:15 p.m. on MLB Network
🏀 Mystics at Liberty, 7:30 p.m. on Ion
🤼 WWE SmackDown, 8 p.m. on USA Network
⚾ Cardinals at Royals, 8:15 p.m. on Apple TV
⚽ World Cup: Brazil vs. Haiti, 8:30 p.m. on Fox
⚾ Angels at Athletics or Red Sox at Mariners, 9:40 p.m. on MLB Network
⚾ Twins at Diamondbacks, 9:45 p.m. on Apple TV
🏀 Lynx at Valkyries, 10 p.m. on Ion
⚽ World Cup: Türkiye vs. Paraguay, 11 p.m. on FS1
Saturday
⛳ U.S. Open, third round, noon on NBC
⚽ World Cup: Netherlands vs. Sweden, 1 p.m. on Fox
🏀 Fever at Dream, 1 p.m. on ABC
⚾ White Sox at Tigers, 1:10 p.m. on Peacock
⚾ Reds at Yankees or Blue Jays at Cubs, 1:35 p.m. on MLB Network
🏀 Storm at Mercury, 3 p.m. on ABC
⚽ World Cup: Germany vs. Ivory Coast, 4 p.m. on Fox
⚾ Nationals at Rays, 4:10 p.m. on ESPN Unlimited
⚾ Padres at Rangers or Brewers at Braves, 5:30 p.m. on MLB Network
⚾ Guardians at Astros or Mets at Phillies, 7:15 p.m. on Fox
🏀 Sky at Wings, 8 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+
🤼 UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi, 8 p.m. on Paramount+
⚽ World Cup: Ecuador vs. Curaçao, 8 p.m. on FS1
⚾ CWS Finals: No. 5 North Carolina vs. Oklahoma, 8 p.m. on ESPN
⚾ Orioles at Dodgers or Red Sox at Mariners, 10:10 p.m. on MLB Network
⚽ World Cup: Tunisia vs. Japan, midnight on FS1
Sunday
⚽ World Cup: Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, noon on Fox
⛳ U.S. Open, final round, noon on NBC
⚾ Reds at Yankees, 1:35 p.m. on Peacock
⚾ Brewers at Braves, 1:35 p.m. on ESPN Unlimited
⚾ White Sox at Tigers or Nationals at Rays, 1:40 p.m. on MLB Network
⚾ CWS Finals: No. 5 North Carolina vs. Oklahoma, 2:30 p.m. on ABC
⚽ World Cup: Belgium vs. Iran, 3 p.m. on FS1
⚾ Twins at Diamondbacks, 3:15 p.m. on NBC Sports Network
🏀 Valkyries at Aces, 4 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+
🏁 NASCAR at Coronado, 4 p.m. on Prime Video
⚽ World Cup: Uruguay vs. Cape Verde, 6 p.m. on FS1
🏀 Mystics at Lynx, 6 p.m. on NBA TV
⚾ Mets at Phillies, 7:20 p.m. on NBC
🏀 Liberty at Sparks, 8 p.m. on ESPN
⚽ World Cup: New Zealand vs. Egypt, 9 p.m. on FS1
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
