Month: June 2026

It’s almost time to put the speculation and debate to rest. We’ve started to see the 48 teams arriving at their training bases across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. ahead of the greatest show in sports. The squads and the superstars are in their final preparations before things kick off at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Let’s answer some big questions before the curtain rises. Q: What’s Your Top World Cup Storyline To Watch? Matteo Bonetti: Can Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo pull off the ultimate swan song in North America? Even in this expanded tournament with 48 teams, so much of the talking points when Argentina and Portugal play will revolve around these two generational superstars who are now in the twilight of their careers. Seeing how their managers balance sentimentality with the ruthless physical demands of modern tournament football will be pure theater. Luis Miguel Echegaray: The expansion to 48 teams needs to have a Cinderella story in order to feel justified. So that’s what I want to see at this World Cup: For a Haiti, a Curaçao, a Cape Verde or even a Scotland to shock us with a deep run that’s so poetic, we can’t help but feel inspired. The fact that there are eight third-placed teams that can advance to the knockout round creates an even bigger incentive for some of these teams to just push through. Brian Sciaretta: I am looking forward to watching how the American public embraces the sport compared with the 1994 World Cup — the last time USA hosted. In 1994, many Americans were getting their first exposure to soccer. It really started the growth into what we see now, where the sport is readily available on television and games are well attended. Now, the next steps of progress depend on another groundswell of public enthusiasm from a second World Cup on American soil. Will this tournament inspire more kids to play? Go to games? Understand the sport with sophistication? Q: Which Under-The-Radar Team Should We Keep An Eye On? Bonetti: Türkiye. Under manager Vincenzo Montella, the team has quietly become a technically brilliant, high-energy side. With elite ball-players like Arda Güler and Hakan Çalhanoğlu pulling the strings, it has the perfect midfield balance and creative spark to slice through a defense. Watch out for Kenan Yildiz as well. The Juventus winger is direct and electrifying when taking on his man. Türkiye is the final group-stage opponent for the USA, and that game on June 25 in Los Angeles could decide who wins Group D. Sciaretta: I suppose it can be cheating to consider a co-host to be “under the radar,” but given Canada’s lack of World Cup success, I think it qualifies. There is no question that the 2022 World Cup was disappointing for Canada, but the team has responded to manager Jesse Marsch well. The 2024 Copa América run to the semifinal was a huge positive. Canada isn’t deep, but it has some good players who play hard. When you’re playing on home soil, that could be a recipe for success. Echegaray: I have been talking about it for a while now, but I think Japan, even without winger Kaoru Mitoma, can go far. It is a deeply cohesive unit with tremendous tactical know-how, playing in a doable group. Colombia — which will feel the extreme support from its community in the U.S. — could also surprise people. The group-stage finale against Portugal in Miami on June 27 is going to be absolute cinema. Q: Who’s A World Cup Heavyweight Primed To Disappoint? Bonetti: I’ll say England. The talent is obviously there to make it a top-5 favorite. However, the crushing weight of expectation and the phrase “It’s Coming Home” being used as cheeky banter make it feel like history is about to repeat itself in the Americas. Unless England finds a way to block out the noise and adapt on the fly, a highly disciplined side is going to exploit those familiar mental lapses and send the team packing long before the final. Echegaray: The easy answer is England. After 60 years without a major trophy — I always say that despite the incredibly deep roster — the biggest obstacle to the Three Lions is themselves. But you know what? I realize I am taking a big swing here and undoubtedly in the minority, but I don’t think things are going to go as straightforward for France as we think. It’s true, Les Bleus possess an embarrassment of riches. But the group is so competitive — Erling Haaland’s Norway and a match of extreme historical importance against Senegal (see 2002) — that France might not top it. After that, who knows? Sometimes, shocks happen, just like the aforementioned tournament in 2002 where France didn’t get out of the group. And this could be one of them. I am not saying France will be going home after the group stage, and, in fact, all odds are for the French to once again go far. But stranger things have happened in this game of ours. You just never know. Sciaretta: Argentina is the heavyweight most likely to disappoint. It is always very difficult for defending champions, but a team that has not had a healthy turnover of players doesn’t help. New blood is always needed to keep things fresh. When you try to stick with a winning formula for too long, you run the risk of Spain in 2014 or Germany in 2018, which were two examples of defending champions who faltered. This 2026 Argentina team is very similar to the 2022 version, but is it still hungry? Is age now a factor? Those are fair questions and real risks. Q: Which World Cup Co-Host Has The Most Pressure? Sciaretta: If the U.S. team fails to perform well, it will be a massively missed opportunity. But Mexico has the most pressure. El Tri were suspended for the 1990 World Cup. Since then, they made it out of group play every tournament until 2022. Mexican fans demand and expect more. Hosting a tournament only elevates expectations. The only two times Mexico has made the quarterfinals of the World Cup is when it hosted in 1970 and 1986, and the team owns the record for the most World Cup appearances without ever reaching the semifinals. If Mexico fails to win at least a knockout game this summer, it will be catastrophic. Bonetti: Mexico playing in Mexico City — and especially at that mythical stadium which saw Pelé and Deigo Maradona lift World Cup trophies — brings an atmosphere that is equal parts magical and completely suffocating. The fútbol-obsessed Mexican fan base demands excellence, and the media scrutiny is absolutely relentless. If El Tri stumble out of the gate on home soil, the pressure to banish past tournament failures will become entirely overwhelming. This also isn’t the best Mexican side we’ve seen. Consensus from fans seem to suggest they believe this team is inconsistent and lacks the depth and talent of previous generations. Echegaray: There’s no doubt that it’s the USA for multiple reasons, but mainly because so much infrastructural and economical effort has been implemented towards this World Cup — from hiring of Mauricio Pochettino to home-field venues for the group stage — that it has to do well. Not to mention that the group is more than doable. The U.S. needs a strong tournament. Anything else would be a travesty. Q: Messi. Ronaldo. Modrić. Which Legend Will Have The Best ‘Last Dance?’ Bonetti: Luka Modrić. While the cameras will chase Messi and Ronaldo, Modrić remains the absolute master of dragging a team through the tournament. His spatial intelligence and engine simply defy aging. In a grueling format, his unique ability to slow down a game gives Croatia the best chance at one last magical run. He also just had a great season with AC Milan despite being in his 40s. Simply astonishing. Echegaray: I think it’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal is looking strong and a group it can win. To be fair, I actually think Roberto Martínez’s side looks more fluid without him in the starting lineup. But if you’re asking me who will go further, I think it will be the Portuguese star. I do envision a matchup of gigantic proportions in the quarterfinal stage between Messi and Ronaldo, and the outcome would essentially answer this question! Sciaretta: I am also going with Modrić, who could hit an astonishing 200 appearances for Croatia at this tournament. I like manager Zlatko Dalić’s roster for this World Cup. There is a nice blend of youth and experience with a bulk of players in their prime ages. Modrić is the legend, but he will have enough quality around him to ease the pressure. Because of that, I think he can make the biggest impact. Q: The Golden Ball Goes To The Top Player. Who Are Some Early Candidates? Sciaretta: Erling Haaland (Norway), Kylian Mbappé (France), Luis Díaz (Colombia) It is hard to think of anyone with more motivation at this World Cup than Haaland, who has been one of the best forwards of his generation and will now finally get to compete for Norway in a major international tournament. The question is whether there is enough of a supporting cast around him to push Norway far enough so he can compete for the Golden Boot. But this Norwegian team has impressive, top-level talent — such as Martin Ødegaard, Alexander Sørloth and Antonio Nusa — to support Haaland. A full-strength Norwegian team can go far, and Haaland has all the ability to thrive this summer. Echegaray: Harry Kane (England), Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain), Michael Olise (France). I am also keeping my eye on Colombia’s Luis Díaz and Vinícius Júnior with this rejuvenated Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti. Expect Haaland and Argentina’s Julián Alvarez to go into the mix for all individual awards. Lamine Yamal is obvious, but it depends on his availability as the Spain superstar recovers from a hamstring injury. Bonetti: Harry Kane (England), Kylian Mbappé (France), Luis Díaz (Colombia). Kane and Díaz just finished sensational club seasons as the Bayern Munich teammates dominated the Bundesliga. While Mbappé’s time at Real Madrid has felt like a roller coaster despite putting up great statistics, his time with France has been a different ordeal. He was unstoppable in Qatar 2022 and has proven to be able to carry his nation on his back at a major tournament.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

ATLANTA — Matt Turner envisions the scene on a daily basis. On June 12, when the U.S. men’s national team steps onto the pitch for its opening World Cup match against Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium, Turner will take it all in. The roar of 70,000-plus fans. The teams emerging from the tunnel in their new kits. The national anthems reverberating throughout the stadium as supporters belt out every word. “There’s a million different pictures that go on in my head. I think about it a lot,” Turner told me and a group of reporters sitting around a table at the National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia, during the squad’s pre-tournament camp. “I’ll probably cry when the national anthem goes. It’s just such a huge honor — overwhelming honor — to be granted that responsibility to be on this team to do our best in those roles and ultimately, change soccer here forever.” What Turner might not be imagining totally accurately, though, is where he’ll physically be standing. He’s hoping to be on the field as a member of Mauricio Pochettino’s starting lineup. More realistically, he could be on the bench. Turner, 31, was one of three goalkeepers announced as part of the USA’s 26-man World Cup roster. He was the Americans’ starter four years ago in Qatar and firmly held onto that role. Then he was unseated by Matt Freese, who made his national team debut last June. Freese gained valuable experience and clout with Pochettino through solid performances at the 2025 Gold Cup, which included saving three penalties in the quarterfinal shootout against Costa Rica. Freese has started 13 of the last 14 matches and established himself as the frontrunner to start for the U.S. at a home World Cup. While Freese didn’t play in the team’s recent 3-2 tune-up win over Senegal, there’s not much to glean because that lineup was not necessarily indicative of how things will look at the World Cup. Turner started and played 45 minutes, while 22-year-old Chris Brady of the Chicago Fire earned his first U.S. cap in the second half. It was important to Pochettino for Brady to play so that his inaugural appearance with the national team wasn’t potentially at a World Cup. Turner understands the optics. But as a super competitive incumbent, he’s not going down without a fight. “I’m just going to train like I have a chance,” said Turner, who joined the New England Revolution on loan from French club Olympique Lyonnais ahead of the 2026 MLS season. “That’s how I’ve gotten to where I am in this current day and age, so I don’t know why I’d ever change that. For me, I’m always going to work as hard as I can, and when the coach makes his final decision, he makes his final decision, and I’ll be at peace knowing that I put everything I had behind it.” Turner arrived at camp in good form. He’s third in MLS with a save percentage of 78.2%, while Freese, who plays for New York City FC, is sixth at 73.9%. Asked if he feels like that could give him some kind of advantage, Turner was realistic. “I mean, you obviously wish you had the body of work with the national team in the last year to also rely on,” Turner said frankly. “But yeah, I think form at the club level is really, really important. And in the end, after evaluating training and recent performances, I think the coaches are going to put together the best connection of guys and the ones that can make the biggest difference in the game.” It’s still somewhat unclear how tight Freese’s grip is on the job. During the March window, for example, Turner started a 5-2 loss to Belgium, and Freese got the nod in a 2-0 defeat to Portugal. Turner and Brady split minutes against Senegal, and Freese is expected to start Saturday’s World Cup sendoff match against Germany. Does Freese feel unsettled when teammates’ names get called over his? “Immediately when that happens, you’re thinking, ‘OK, well, how can I help the team?’” Freese, 27, told me and other reporters at a roundtable. “And then, you know, proving yourself in training and setting yourself up for a good match the next time you get in there.” That’s exactly the kind of advice Brad Guzan would give any backup goalkeeper. That’s because he can empathize. Guzan — who played all 38 Premier League games for Aston Villa in the 2013-14 season and didn’t sniff the field at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil — spent much of his national team career backing up Tim Howard, including at two World Cups. “There’s very few cases where you can rest on your laurels and be like, ‘I deserve this because I did this and this in the past,’” Guzan told us. “That’s the exception. And as an American soccer player in Europe, you are not afforded that luxury. [Getting benched] has happened to everyone. “As a No. 2 or No. 3, you need to find a way to help contribute to the group, whether that’s in the training session the day after a game or preparation for the game itself,’” Guzan continued. “You need to figure out, ‘How can you be best utilized if you’re not actually going to be on the field?’ That can be your energy, your information, your support and guidance — it could be all of it.” Freese has shown he can do that. Last Sunday before kickoff, he dapped up all 11 starters before finding his seat on the bench. He gave Turner a huge embrace. Then at halftime, when Brady was preparing to take the field for the first time, a small problem emerged: Nobody could find his jersey. Brady stood on the sideline searching for it, while Freese sprinted around trying to track it down. It was a bit of a rookie moment. If Turner sits on the bench all summer, he’ll be bummed, no doubt. But he’s a professional and will take it in stride. Plus, he and Freese have a good relationship even if the dynamic may seem awkward from the outside. “I think there’s a healthy mutual respect between us,” Turner said. “We both want to play, we both have played and we both will respect whatever the final decision is from the coaches. And then from there, our roles will change to be supportive of each other. “What he’s done the last couple of years has been great, and it’s been great competition. So yeah, we’ll see how it goes.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The wait is finally over. After months of transfer portal movement, recruiting battles and NBA Draft decisions, last week’s withdrawal deadline brought some clarity. Fans learned which standout players would be returning to campus, who would be moving on to the pros and what rosters will actually look like entering the 2026-27 season. There are still a few dominoes left to fall, but the picture is much more clear than it was last month. With that in mind, here’s a look at my updated men’s college basketball Top 25 for the 2026-27 season. Previous Ranking: NR Big Blue Nation was starting to worry that Kentucky wouldn’t have a top-25 roster. The late addition of Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic changes that. He was the top-ranked transfer available in May, and Kentucky landed him. The retention of Malachi Moreno, who averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds per game last season, is also huge. He’s due for a breakout year. A projected starting five of Zoom Diallo, Alex Wilkins, Momcilovic, Ousmane N’Diaye, and Moreno looks very solid and should have Kentucky firmly in the top-25 conversation. Previous Ranking: 24 Losing the program’s all-time leading scorer, Bruce Thornton, to graduation certainly hurts, but the talent is there for Jake Diebler’s team to make some noise in the Big Ten next season. Diebler is set to welcome a strong transfer class, highlighted by former Cal guard Justin Pippen, who will join returnee John Mobley Jr. in the starting backcourt. He’ll also welcome five-star freshman Anthony Thompson, the highest-rated recruit to arrive in Columbus since Jared Sullinger in 2010. Previous Ranking: 23 After taking a second look at rosters, it’s become clear that the Cornhuskers are worthy of a spot in the Top 25. Utah Valley transfer Trevan Leonhardt is a passing wizard and a strong offensive fit in a backcourt that also features Braden Frager and Pryce Sandfort. Belmont transfer Sam Orme adds valuable shooting at the four spot. This team will score, but the question remains: can they defend? Previous Ranking: 22 Robert Wright III’s decision to return for his junior season dramatically changes the Cougars’ 2026-27 outlook, giving them one of the best floor generals in the sport. He will be joined by five-star freshman standout Bruce Branch III, who is widely regarded as one of the top 2026 prospects in the nation. The Cougars will also welcome in Collin Chandler, who is set to return home after two years playing for Mark Pope and Kentucky. Previous Ranking: 21 Miami head coach Jai Lucas should have one of the best rosters in the ACC heading into next season, but how quickly it all comes together remains to be seen. Shelton Henderson is a rising star, with the look of a future pro. He’ll be joined by a loaded transfer class, highlighted by a pair of standout additions in Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis and former Georgia big man Somto Cyril. Previous Ranking: 20 Vanderbilt’s offseason revolved around the decision of star point guard Tyler Tanner. The good news for Mark Byington’s team is that Tanner withdrew from the NBA Draft and will return next season as a likely preseason first-team All-American. The not so good news is that starting forward AK Okereke, who was seeking an additional year of eligibility, will not return next year. Still, Byington had an exceptional year in the transfer portal, bringing in an impressive five-man class that includes T.O. Barrett (Missouri), Berke Buyuktuncel (Nebraska), Bangot Dak (Colorado), Ace Glass (Washington State) and Sebastian Williams-Adams (Auburn). Previous Ranking: 19 Indiana head coach Darian DeVries completely retooled his roster this offseason, assembling a six-man transfer class that ranks sixth in the nation, per 247Sports. The group is headlined by a dominant frontcourt duo in Aiden Sherrell (Indiana) and Samet Yigitoglu (SMU). They’ll be joined by former Notre Dame standout Markus Burton, who could be one of the top newcomers in the Big Ten next season if he can stay healthy. Previous Ranking: 18 Houston coach Kelvin Sampson faces the challenge of replacing four starters from last year’s team. The Cougars will need Chase McCarty and Mercy Miller to step into bigger roles next season, and will look to returning forward Joseph Tugler to take a jump into an alpha role. Sampson is set to bring in a trio of impact transfers: Dedan Thomas Jr. (LSU), Delrecco Gillespie (Kent State) and Corey Hadnot II (Purdue Fort Wayne), along with a top-25 recruiting class highlighted by five-star big man Arafan Diane. Previous Ranking: 17Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes is known for being one of the top defensive coaches in the nation, but the 71-year-old Barnes is set to bring in the No. 3-ranked portal class in the nation this year, and it’s loaded with plenty of offensive firepower. Barnes’ haul includes three players – Juke Harris (Wake Forest), Terrence Hill Jr. (VCU) and Jalen Haralson (Notre Dame) – ranked among the top 25 transfers in this country. Previous Ranking: 16 Alabama forward Amari Allen withdrew from the NBA Draft and will provide the Crimson Tide with a steadying force on the perimeter. Beyond that, there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding Alabama’s roster. Big man Aiden Sherrell transferred to Indiana, while standout guard Aden Holloway, who was arrested on felony drug charges on March 16, has announced plans to return to the university and hopes to rejoin the team. Jaxon Richardson and Qayden Samuels are both highly touted recruits who will arrive next season, but their impact remains to be seen. Previous Ranking: 15 Continuity has been a central theme for the Cavaliers this offseason. Virginia returns four of its top six scorers from last year, including Thijs De Ridder, a 6-foot-9 forward from Belgium who led the team in scoring as a freshman. His combination of versatility and experience gives the Cavaliers a reliable offensive foundation, while returning guard Chance Mallory will be asked to take on a larger role as the team’s lead initiator and playmaker. Previous Ranking: 14 Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger agreed to a contract extension that will keep him in Ames through 2036, but Iowa State will enter 2026-27 with a different roster. The departures of Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic leave significant holes to fill, though the return of guards Killyan Toure and Jamarion Batemon, coupled with a five-player transfer haul, should help. Previous Ranking: 12 Guard Rodney Rice is returning from injury, while Alijah Arenas enters his sophomore season with the benefit of a full offseason in the weight room. Jacob Cofie is back to anchor the frontcourt, and the additions of KJ Lewis from Georgetown, Eric Reibe from UConn, and three top-30 freshmen give the Trojans one of the nation’s most fascinating rosters. How quickly coach Eric Musselman can mold that talent into a contender will be one of the sport’s biggest storylines. Previous Ranking: 10 The exit of Meleek Thomas to the NBA hurt, but the return of Billy Richmond III was significant. This team should still be a lot of fun. Arkansas has Elite Eight potential thanks to its mix of veteran talent and the nation’s top recruiting class, which includes four top-25 prospects, led by guard Jordan Smith Jr. Previous Ranking: 11 Texas’ ceiling depends on returning center Matas Vokietaitis becoming a star, but the pieces around him are in place. The Longhorns were aggressive in the transfer portal, landing David Punch from TCU and Isaiah Johnson from Colorado. Punch should pair with Vokietaitis to give Texas a strong frontcourt, while Johnson provides a steady hand at point guard. Previous Ranking: 10 Gonzaga will get a huge boost from Braden Huff, one of the most talented players in the country, returning from an injury that kept him out of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Around Huff, coach Mark Few and the Bulldogs added Massamba Diop from Arizona State and Isiah Harwell from Houston. Both endured disappointing freshman seasons and will look to bounce back in Spokane. Previous Ranking: 9 After making the Final Four for the first time since 2001, Arizona lost four key pieces, including freshman standout Koa Peat, who opted to remain in the NBA Draft. Head coach Tommy Lloyd will rely on returning starters Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov, who give the Wildcats a high floor, especially on defense. The backcourt of North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon and five-star freshman Caleb Holt will give the offense a new look. Previous Ranking: 11 The Red Storm come bursting their way into the top 10. I already loved their roster last month, but the surprising addition of Baylor transfer Tounde Yessoufou is exactly what they needed. He’s a big-bodied guard who can impact the game on both ends of the floor, averaging 18 points and 6 rebounds per game last season. Previous Ranking: 7 Michigan State’s star point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. will return after withdrawing from the NBA Draft. Fears, an extension of coach Tom Izzo on the court, could be a candidate for the Bob Cousy Award. He is the Spartans’ floor general, but for them to go the distance, forwards Coen Carr and Cam Ward, along with shooting guard Kur Teng, will need to step up. Anton Bonke, a transfer from Charlotte, could help offset the departures of Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler. Previous Ranking: 7 Head coach Dan Hurley convinced freshman standout Braylon Mullins to return to UConn after a magical run to the 2026 national title game. Point guard Silas Demary Jr. and forward Jayden Ross are also back. Transfers Nikolas Khamenia and Najai Hines should help fill the void left by the departures of Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban. Previous Ranking: 5 The Cardinals went out and spent a lot of money to put together a team that I think is title worthy. Let’s start with the best defensive center in the country: Flory Bidunga. He’s flanked by Iowa transfer Alvaro Folgueiras, fresh off his clutch NCAA Tournament performances. In the backcourt, Oregon transfer Jackson Shelstad runs the point and Arkansas wing transfer Karter Knox rounds out a roster that has a little bit of everything. Previous Ranking: 4 Duke’s roster blends star power and depth. The headliner is Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell, who withdrew from the NBA Draft and will help replace the loss of Isaiah Evans. Head coach Jon Scheyer also brought in a new class of five-star freshmen, as well as heralded international prospect Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje from Spain. The foundation is Duke’s returning group: Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer, Dame Sarr and Patrick Ngongba II. Previous Ranking: 3 One year after relying on an elite frontcourt, the core of this Michigan team will reside in its returning backcourt of Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney. Head coach Dusty May had to replace a trio of forwards projected to be first-round NBA Draft picks, and he did so with JP Estrella from Tennessee and Moustapha Thiam from Cincinnati. It’s unfair to expect the Wolverines to match last year’s defensive dominance, but don’t underestimate May’s ability to build another elite unit. Previous Ranking: 2 Illinois head coach Brad Underwood should feel good about this group after Andrej Stojakovic withdrew from the NBA Draft and returned to the Illini. Alongside David Mirkovic and Tomislav Ivisic, Stojakovic gives Illinois one of the nation’s top frontcourts. The addition of Stefan Vaaks from Providence should help offset the loss of Keaton Wagler. Previous Ranking: 1 The Gators vaulted to No. 1 after their entire frontcourt elected to return. Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, all key contributors on Florida’s 2025 national championship team, are back after last season ended in a Round of 32 loss to Iowa. Guards Boogie Fland and Urban Klavzar will also return to Gainesville.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

There’s just one week to go until the biggest show on earth gets underway, with the 2026 World Cup kicking off on June 11. If you haven’t already caught a serious case of World Cup fever, what better way to get in the mood than by checking out the very best kits that will be on show in North America this summer. The result of the tournament being expanded to a bumper 48-team event and some sides bizarrely opting to have three separate strips means there will be more than 100 different shirts on view in North America, which is undoubtedly some sort of record. Here are the 20 best kits of the 2026 World Cup – ranked: 20. Senegal (Home) Granted, there is a lot going on here, but we’d prefer that to something boring from one of Africa’s dominant forces at the World Cup. Senegal’s home shirt is inspired by the hand-painted buses of its capital city, Dakar, featuring an eye-catching abstract print all over it. It’s just a shame PUMA decided to dial down the colors. 19. Algeria (Away) The adidas Originals ‘Trefoil’ has returned to their away jerseys, giving them an unmistakably retro vibe. Algeria’s offering oozes understated class, featuring shadow stripes, a darker shade of green on the sleeves and a red trim that really pops. The off-centered numbering is a very nice touch, too. 18. Cote d’Ivoire (Home) Cote d’Ivoire always catch the eye in their vibrant orange home strips, but PUMA have taken things up a notch ahead of the World Cup. Les Elephants’ home shirt carries a striking animal print design on that classic orange base, with flashes of green on the side panels. It celebrates the country’s unified passion for the beautiful game. 17. Germany (Away) Adidas has delivered something a bit different for Germany’s away kit — the country the sportswear giant calls home. It features an unusual navy blue base with ‘aqua-blue’ embellishments, with the color palette blending hues from different eras of the national team from the 1950s to the 80s. The all-over chevron pattern really pops. 16. South Korea (Home) Nike’s South Korea kits always seem to go hard, and 2026 is no different as Son Heung-min and Co. look to cause a stir once again in North America. The design cleverly draws inspiration both from the country’s mountainous landscape and tiger print on a ‘lobal red’ base, playing on the idea of an ambush by the big cats, which are one of their most prominent national symbols. 15. England (Home) Is this the shirt in which England will end their agonizing 60-year wait for a major trophy on the men’s side of the game? They’ll certainly hope so. Nike have evoked some serious retro vibes for the Three Lions’ new home shirt, which is seemingly inspired by the iconic Umbro number from 2000. The modern take features a subtle all-over Three Lions motif, with striking red numbering, trim and detail on the collar and cuffs. 14. Canada (Home) One of the host nations, Canada will look the part on home soil in their striking new Nike home kit. The American sportswear manufacturer has come up with a creative way of incorporating the country’s most prominent cultural and natural symbol, the maple leaf. An oversized motif takes center stage, with the leaf delineated by darker shades of red across the body. 13. Jordan (Third) Yep, you read that correctly — some countries will actually have third kits at the World Cup. If that isn’t too much of a ‘game’s gone’ moment for you, then hopefully you will appreciate Jordan’s third kit from Kelme. A clean, black base, this shirt is all about the subtle floral motif that covers most of the body. Let’s just hope we get to see a glimpse of it on the pitch. 12. DR Congo (Home) Umbro are not messing about with DR Congo’s home shirt as the African nation prepares to contest a World Cup for the first time since 1974, when it was known as Zaire. Mainly blue with neat trim on the sleeves and collar, it’s all about the striking print across the torso, which apparently draws from the power and agility of the leopard. 11. Spain (Home) There’s nothing overcomplicated about Spain’s very clean adidas home kit, but that rich navy blue notably returns to the sleeve panels for the first time since the early 2000s to give it a retro feel. The European champions will be out for global domination in North America, and this is a kit worthy of their cause, with the look completed by yellow pinstripes that draw from the national flag and crest. 10. Qatar (Home) One you might not expect to sneak into our top 10, but the color combination and subtle zigzag pattern on Qatar’s home shirt have grabbed our attention. The maroon colorway is complimented by simple white trim and numbering, with the central, vertical motif inspired by the nation’s flag. 9. Argentina (Home) Adidas have rarely gotten an Argentina shirt wrong in their long association with the great footballing nation, and they’ve continued the roll of hits in 2026 with both the home and away shirts for the World Cup holders. They haven’t messed with a winning formula, with the new home edition once again carrying three vertical stripes in that famous celestial blue, with the ‘Three Stripes’ and trim in black. Simple in its beauty. 8. Argentina (Away) Argentina will be looking to defend their crown in North America, and their away kit is a thing of beauty. The country’s rich artistic heritage takes center stage for their mainly black away shirt, in a design featuring a distinct swirling blue graphic pattern across the body that takes cues from traditional motifs. Intricate floral details, climbing plants and flashes of white complete a classy look. 7. Croatia (Away) Usually all the noise is around Croatia’s red and white home kit, but Nike have created a potential modern classic with their away shirt for the perennial dark horses. The shirt features the classic checkerboard print on the sides in two-tone blue, with a void in between where the crest, Nike ‘Swoosh’ and numbers will sit. Expect to see this one being worn off the pitch for years to come. 6. Sweden (Away) Sweden might have kept things basic with their home jersey, but their away strip is anything but. A ridiculously cool design on a classy dark blue base takes visual cues from the Scandinavian nation’s music and culture of the 1960s and 70s (think ABBA). The wavy print is utterly mesmeric and will be one of the most eye-catching on display in North America. 5. France (Home) We’re sure Nike’s fresh look for the France national team will have divided opinion, but credit to them for trying something different — and if things go Les Bleus way this summer, it could become a cult classic. The shirt certainly ticks the retro box with its big collar and defining geometric gradient print in a big departure from what the American sportswear behemoth has produced for the French over the past 16 years. 4. Germany (Home) This one has us downing steins and donning lederhosen! German big hitters adidas love a throwback when producing a shirt for their home nation, and the new home strip for Die Nationalmannschaft is a thing of beauty. It clearly draws on their designs from the late 80s and early 90s, as the colors of the German flag stretch over each shoulder and meet in the middle. The designers will hope a side that has underwhelmed at recent tournaments can do it justice in North America. 3. Curaçao (Away) The smallest nation to have qualified for the World Cup, 150,000-strong Curaçao will be packing a big punch in their adidas away strip. Featuring the retro ‘Trefoil’, the pale yellow base is perfectly complimented by striking dark blue trium and the iconic ‘Three Stripes’ in red, green and orange to really catch the eye. 2. Japan (Home) We are pretty certain there has never been a bad design in the history of adidas’ collaboration with the Japan national team, and that certainly ain’t going to change this summer. Evoking the manufacturer’s ‘Teamgeist’ templates of the mid-noughties, the home shirt is retro-tinged but very much ready for the modern day. The focal point is an abstract graphic inspired by the iconic haze on the horizon where the sea meets the sky in the Asian nation. 1. Mexico (Home) Could this be the shirt to break Mexico’s curse of the ‘Quinto Partido’?! The host nation has only ever gone beyond the last-16 stage on home soil (in 1970 and 1986), and they will hope they can repeat that feat wearing their sublime new adidas home strip. Featuring striking traditional motifs in dark green against a lighter base, adidas say it represents the country’s energy and pride, celebrating a nation that lives and breathes the beautiful game.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

As Shohei Ohtani fired six scoreless innings Wednesday to drop his ERA on the year to 0.74, the third-lowest mark through the first 10 starts of a season in MLB history, he continued to feature a new element to his game. And it’s one that might be necessary as the two-way star tries to capture his first ever Cy Young Award in a year that features a slew of formidable contenders for MLB’s top pitching honor. While Ohtani’s strikeout rate is down from his career norms, his 51.7% groundball rate is the highest of his career — up more than 10% from last year and 6% from his previous career high —  and the fourth-highest among all starters who’ve thrown at least 60 innings this year. On Wednesday in Arizona, he began his start by inducing three straight groundouts in a spotless first inning and ended it with a double-play grounder from Corbin Carroll to escape a sixth-inning threat. Ohtani struck out six and got eight groundouts on the night while needing just 89 pitches through six innings. His ability to keep the ball on the ground has played an important role in his success, helping him limit slug — he has allowed a home run in just one of his 10 appearances this year — and consistently go deep into games, which he’ll need to do if he wants any chance of winning a Cy Young. The Dodgers continue riding with a six-man rotation, even with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow down, in part to manage Ohtani’s innings and workload. Unlike other Cy Young contenders, Ohtani can’t afford even the occasional clunker. He’s pitching like he knows it, going at least six innings in all but one of his 10 starts, allowing two runs or fewer in each of his 10 starts and holding opponents to an MLB-low .142 batting average. Since the earned run became an official stat, Jacob deGrom (0.56 ERA, 2021) and Juan Marichal (0.59 ERA, 1966) are the only pitchers with a lower ERA through their first 10 starts of a season than Ohtani. “I think a lot of starting pitchers, you feel your way into a game and you give up a couple early and you bear down,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “But I’ve noticed with Shohei, every run is a premium. He’s literally trying to throw a shutout every time he goes out there, where I don’t know if every starter has that mindset.” Since the mound was lowered in 1969, only 28 pitchers who qualified for the ERA title have finished a season with an ERA under 2.00. That number drops to 25 pitchers if you eliminate the shortened 2020 season. The lowest ERA in that time belongs to Dwight Gooden, who had a 1.53 ERA in 1985. Ohtani’s ERA, after holding his opponent scoreless in half of his 10 starts this year, is half of Gooden’s mark (0.74). But, as of Thursday, Ohtani is just shy of qualifying for the ERA title. He’s tied for 74th in innings pitched and currently on pace to throw 159 innings. Over the last 20 years, the fewest number of innings pitched by a Cy Young starter over the course of a full season is 167 by Corbin Burnes. Ohtani will have his work cut out for him to reach that number. And in a year in which the Phillies’ Christopher Sánchez just racked up 50.2 consecutive scoreless innings and the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski is running a strikeout rate near 40%, Ohtani must maintain a sizable ERA lead and routinely rack up starts of six and seven innings if he hopes to win MLB’s top pitching honor. Keeping the ball on the ground, the way he has to this point, will help. Ohtani’s arsenal hasn’t changed dramatically to allow him to post the highest groundball rate and lowest home-run rate of his career. While he has incorporated more of his curveball and splitter this year, he still leans primarily on his four-seamer and sweeper — two of the best pitches in baseball — throwing them a combined 75.3% of the time. Rather, Dodgers assistant pitching coach Connor McGuiness believes that Ohtani’s elevated ground-ball rate is mostly the result of the pitcher’s enhanced ability to read the game, understand opponents’ tendencies and mess with a hitter’s timing by varying his delivery and velocity. Sometimes, that can help him avoid barrels and get harmless contact to end an at-bat quickly. Other times — like when he slowed his mechanics down to end an 11-pitch at-bat against Francisco Lindor in April — it can help him get a strikeout when he needs one. “He’s one of the best self-coaches we have,” McGuiness told me last week. “I think he’s kind of just found a consistent delivery and throw right now. He’s tapped into a crazy amount of power, and he’s just avoiding the fat part of the plate.” Over his last four starts, Ohtani has surrendered just nine hits and one run — and that’s while fighting his command through a large portion of that stretch. Wednesday’s start, in which he allowed just one free pass, represented a step in the right direction. He allowed three baserunners as a pitcher and reached base five times as a hitter, getting his batting average up above .300 for the first time since Opening Day. After a slow start to the year offensively, he now has the lowest ERA in MLB as a pitcher and the third-highest OPS in the National League as a hitter. “He’s the best player that’s ever walked this earth,” said catcher Will Smith. This year, he might also be the best pitcher, too. “When Shohei says he’s going to go do something, we all believe it,” McGuiness told me. “Like, he’s probably going to go do it. It is unbelievable. No words can really describe what he’s accomplishing right now, and honestly I think we’re just scratching the surface on the best version of him, which is even scarier to think about.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports