Morgan Wallen has done a lot in country music over the last ten years. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Categories
The 30 Best Morgan Wallen Songs
Category: News Feeds
Categories
The 30 Best Morgan Wallen Songs
Morgan Wallen has done a lot in country music over the last ten years. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Megan Moroney’s Cloud 9 era has quickly become more than just an album title. It has expanded into a full aesthetic of all things sparkly, dreamlike, and pink, giving fans plenty of inspiration to pull from as they put together their outfits for her massive 2026 headline tour.
The Cloud 9 Tour will be the Georgia native’s biggest and most ambitious trek yet, so you’re going to want to match that energy in your look. Kicking off May 29 and stretching through October 2026, the 43-date global run will feature stops in major arenas across North America, Europe, and the UK.
Picking out the perfect concert look is all part of the experience, but it can also be a difficult task. Luckily, Moroney’s own fashion sense has given fans the perfect blueprint for looks that feel trendy and concert-ready. From sequins and cowboy boots to flowy dresses and statement accessories, we’ve rounded up all the outfit inspiration you need to match the Cloud 9 aesthetic at any of her upcoming shows.
Up first is a soft, flirty look with a Western twist that features Pink Lily’s Dusk To Denim pink strapless denim romper as the base. This standout piece can be elevated with accessories like the brand’s Laurel Pink Scarf Charm Necklace and Tilly Clover Pink Stretch Bracelet as well as American Eagle’s Old Trend Studded Leather Belt. The look is tied together with the Mila Ivory Heart Cowboy Boots, which feel like they could’ve been pulled right out of Moroney’s own closet. Together, it’s a mix of pinks, denim, and country glam that’s made for a night under the bright stage lights.
This look offers more of a subtle and edgier take on the Cloud 9 aesthetic while still maintaining that soft country charm. The Bear Medium Wash Denim Top feels like something you’d throw on without overthinking but still looks well put together. That top paired with another Pink Lily staple, the Seaside Soiree Linen Blend Skort, shifts the outfit into a light, summery movement. To add a bolder twist, the Tess Leopard Cowboy boots are the perfect choice as they bring in just the right amount of personality without overpowering it. To finish it off, the Lulus Lilijana Dark Brown Woven Shoulder Bag ties everything together with an added layer of style.
It’s no secret that Moroney loves a bit of sparkle so why not bring that into your own concert look with Lulus Sandrea Pink Sequin High-Rise Micro Shorts. To keep things balanced, the Lucky You Orange Graphic Tee from Pink Lily adds a laid-back touch while also giving a subtle nod to Moroney’s Lucky album era. A pir of Lulus Precise Radiance Pink Rhinestone Drop Earrings doubles down on the sparkle while the Target Western Faux Suede Fringe Shoulder Bag adds even more pink, because there can never be too much. Complete the look with your favorite pair of boots.
With Moroney having her own line of merch at Target, it makes it easy to pull pieces straight from her world, like the Women’s Pink Cloud Bow Graphic Tank Top. This shirt gives off that soft, dreamy Cloud 9 energy while still feeling casual and wearable for a concert night. Lulus offers the perfect Alaire Ivory Denim High-Rise Mini Skirt to go with it, as well as a pair of Rhythm ‘N’ Blues White Leather Embossed Mid-Calf Western Boots to make it feel complete.
For the fans who want to rock a cute denim dress, Lulus has got you covered with the flattering Phoenix Dark Wash Basque Waist Mini Dress. Add a pink bow hair clip from Moroney’s Target collection for a playful pop of color and finish it off with a gold heart concho belt from Lulus. The result is an effortless outfit that’s gives you the freedom to dance along to the new album all night.
Megan Moroney will kickstart her tour on May 29 in Columbus, OH and May 30 in Indianapolis, IN. Hopefully, this list has provided plenty of inspiration to start planning the best concert looks ahead of the massive 2026 run.
The post What To Wear To Megan Moroney’s Cloud 9 Tour: Outfit Ideas For The Ultimate Concert Look appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
South Carolina GOP Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to announce a special session on redistricting, teeing up the state legislature to pass a Republican gerrymander that would almost certainly cost Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn his seat in this year’s midterms.
Clyburn is the sole Democrat in South Carolina’s House delegation; the new map would dismantle his district, leaving the state with 7 likely red seats and no Democratic-leaning ones.
McMaster’s plan — confirmed by four people familiar with the decision, who were granted anonymity to share private details — is a reversal of his position earlier this month and follows pressure from President Donald Trump and his allies to gerrymander the state.
The looming special session comes after five Republican state senators voted with Democrats to block a measure that would have allowed them to redraw South Carolina’s districts this cycle without a call from McMaster.
The special session will let lawmakers pass a new map with a simple majority, making it likely that it will advance given the GOP’s margins.
McMaster is expected to announce the plans later Wednesday, but he cannot formally call the special session until lawmakers adjourn their regular session, which will happen Thursday. And until the decision is official, it is possible he could change his mind.
McMaster’s office did not respond to requests for comment. Fox Carolina News first reported McMasters’ plans to call the special session.
“South Carolina isn’t done,” James Blair, who is leaving the White House to run midterm operations for Trump, posted on X Tuesday after lawmakers failed to reach the two-thirds threshold required to consider redistricting without a special session.
The Supreme Court’s decision earlier this month to narrow the Voting Rights Act has kicked off a rapid-paced round of redistricting across the South, with Tennessee passing a new map and Louisiana poised to do the same.
A new map in South Carolina would likely lock in a 7-0 House delegation for Republicans, though some of the GOP senators who opposed Tuesday’s vote said the map is no guarantee. Democrats are also bullish that a redraw could put a new seat in play, and the party’s top House campaign arm has begun recruiting in the state, as POLITICO reported earlier this week.
State Senate leader Shane Massey, who was one of the five Republicans who opposed the measure on Tuesday, has begun communicating McMaster’s decision to lawmakers, one person familiar with the conversations said. It’s still unclear if Massey will try to sway Republicans who voted to open the door to a redraw to switch their votes.
Politics
Deputy Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Superintendent Katie Gardner and Superintendent Randy Trani discuss a concealed-carry weapons proposal during a regular school board meeting at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District in Palmer on May 5, 2026. (Photo by Amy Bushatz/Mat-Su Sentinel)
PALMER — A proposal to pay some Mat-Su teachers and school staff to carry handguns on campus could cost about $700,000 to roll out, even as the school district grapples with a major budget deficit heading into next year.
The proposed program is meant to boost school security by allowing certain trained staff to keep a handgun concealed on their body during the school day.
Costs for the program include about $133,000 in startup fees for a consultant, training development, and signage, according to Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District documents.
Running the program could cost about $562,000 annually for insurance, administration, and overhead for an estimated 150 participants, the documents state. Per-person costs are estimated at about $1,890, including a $500 training stipend and drug, health and psychological screening expenses.
Mat-Su School Board member Andrew Shane, who helped workshop and craft the weapons proposal over several months, said he plans to propose an amendment early next month that gives the board a path to approving the policy this year but allows the district to use it only if an outside entity covers the costs.
“We would submit the policy with an expectation that we cannot fund it all ourselves, but we want to make this policy available,” he said in an interview at a regular school board meeting this month.
He said he expects the program to cost less than its estimate because fewer than 150 staff members covered by the plan will take part as it gets started and because the district may be able to forgo a proposed dedicated program manager.
School board member Tom Bergey said he supports the policy but is concerned the price estimates are well below what is actually needed because of insurance increases and training costs.
“I think it’s going to cost a whole lot more than that by the time everything settles down and reality sets in,” he said.
The district is facing a $28 million funding deficit ahead of the 2026-27 school year, officials said during a budget presentation at the meeting, and plans to permanently close three schools next week as part of a sweeping set of cost-saving measures.
That shortfall estimate increased from $23 million late last month when the district received new information regarding upcoming staff health care costs, they said.
Shane and members of a joint Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly and school board committee discussed whether such funding could come through a taxpayer-funded grant from the borough, Assembly members Maxwell Sumner and Dmitri Fonov said.
But while both Fonov and Sumner said they support the policy itself, they also said they do not want to raise taxes to fund it.
“I’m not committed to anything right now, but I was always open to work with them if they get the program started,” Sumner said in an interview.
Participating in the program would be voluntary, and included staff would be paid about a $500 stipend to help cover training costs, district officials said during the meeting. Applicants would provide their own weapon and would go through a set of equipment and safety screenings, including a psychological exam, they said.
If the measure is approved, it would be the first of its kind in Alaska.
The policy will pair with a district program pays the Wasilla and Palmer police departments to place armed school resource officers at most middle and high schools across the region. That effort costs the district about $800,000 annually, according to contract documents.
School board members said they expect several more rounds of revisions before a final vote on the proposal later this year.
Among those discussion points will be how the district should manage and regulate the program, administrators said. The proposed board policy will establish a legal framework, while operational details would be outlined separately, they said.
“It really provides the legal framework and the governing principles for the program,” Deputy Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Superintendent Katie Gardner said during the meeting. “It does not provide the answer to every question, and it does not provide every detail that the administration would develop in making sure that the program is able to be implemented.”
The proposal generated significant public concern ahead of the meeting, but fewer than five members of the public attended to speak for or against it.
Justin LaCoss, who represents district teachers in the Mat-Su Education Association union, said a poll of members showed most oppose the proposal. He was also part of an approximately 20-member task force late last year that helped provide feedback on the policy while it was under development.
“About 79% of our members oppose this board policy as it’s written,” he said. “They want us to emphasize the safety of our schools — they know that’s the first charge of our district, to educate these kids in a safe environment, and they’ve been trained to do that. But being a concealed weapon carrier is not what they’ve been trained to do.”
He said the question went out to teachers at every school in the district but did not have details on how many members voted in the poll.
Kevin Guinn, a retired U.S. marshal who led firearms trainings, told the board he supports the program as long as the district has firm guidelines and training requirements.
“You need stable, thoughtful, experienced people if you can get them,” he said during public comment. “The simple mission in an active shooter, active threat is stop the killing. It’s that simple. Is this person willing to run past wounded individuals screaming for help to address the threat so that more don’t end up like that?”
The measure was inspired by a bill crafted by former Sen. Shelley Hughes, a Palmer Republican. Hughes resigned in November to run for governor. The school board has included support for such a measure in its annual state legislative priorities list for the past three years.
Research on whether armed school staff deter violence remains limited, according to a review released this year by the nonpartisan RAND Corporation. About 30 states, including Alaska, allow some form of armed staff on school campuses.
Correction: This story was updated May 13 to clarify that Justin LaCoss represents district teachers in the Mat Su Education Association union.
This story was originally published by the Mat-Su Sentinel. Contact Amy Bushatz at contact@matsusentinel.com.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
A debate about Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and babydoll dresses has erupted into toral chaos on social media.
And as usual, the Swifties are not holding back in their efforts to defend their queen.
But does Taylor really need to be defended in this situation? We’ll present the facts and let you be the judge.
The trouble began when Olivia performed in Spain last week.
She sported a babydoll dress for the performance, and several social media critics alleged that Olivia was infantilizing herself in an off-putting manner.
Earlier this week, Vogue published an article by columnist Hannah Jackson, who wrote that the babydoll is a current hot trend among pop stars.
As an example, Jackson used a photo of Taylor rocking “a breezy black crepe Michele-designed Valentino babydoll dress with a silver-sequined bust.”
“Swift is hardly the only pop star to embrace the babydoll dress this week. On Friday, Olivia Rodrigo teased her forthcoming album in Barcelona, dressed in a pink ditsy floral peasant-sleeved minidress and matching bloomers,” she wrote.
The article noted that “Rodrigo went for a punkier look, styling her babydoll dress with knee-high Doc Martens.”
“Rodrigo caught some flak for her outfit, with some fans calling the look infantilizing,” Jackson acknowledged.
From there, Jackson explained the babydoll has a place in music history as a favored look for grunge goddesses like Courtney Love and Kat Bjelland.
“I just remember being younger and having pictures of Courtney Love and Kat Bjelland from all these riot grrrl punk bands in their babydoll dresses, just owning it,” Olivia is quoted as saying in the piece.
So what’s the problem?
Well, Swifties are convinced that Vogue ran the babydoll piece as a PR favor to Olivia.
They believe that Taylor was unfairly roped into the controversy as evidence in support of Olivia.
And since Taylor and Olivia are rumored to be feuding, Swifties believe that Vogue is guilty of a grave injustice here.
They’re so angry that some Swiftie accounts are attempting to organize a harassment campaign against Vogue and Jackson.
One account even noted that Jackson has made her Instagram private in response to the online bullying. The same account then posted a link to Jackson’s Threads account so that the harassment could continue there.
Needless to say, this is not the stuff of normal pop star fandom. And while it’s only a small percentage of Swifties who are engaging in and advocating for this kind of behavior, it’s more than enough people to create a serious problem.
Taylor Swift Fans Attack ‘Vogue’ Writer Following Olivia Rodrigo Comparison was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
The University of Alaska Southeast and Goldbelt Heritage Foundation signed a memorandum of agreement to develop coursework on Indigenous health and healing.
The agreement, completed Sunday, outlines a plan to deliver culturally grounded, for-credit learning opportunities at UAS that reflect Indigenous knowledge, values and approaches to wellness.
Elders, cultural specialists and Indigenous faculty will guide curriculum development and instruction, according to a press release.
They will work with faculty from the behavioral health program to create place-based courses that can grow into additional academic pathways, including an occupational endorsement or certificate.
“This is a critical opportunity to center Indigenous Science Concepts in health and wellness, honoring relationality, place, and cultural responsibility,” said Wendy K’ah Skáahluwaa Todd, a UAS term assistant professor of geoscience and member of the team building the pathway.
“Moving beyond the limits of Western medicine, it offers a meaningful path toward the development of truly culturally appropriate care grounded in Indigenous values, knowledges, and lived realities,” she said.
Courses will be offered through the Integrative Behavioral Health program and will be open to any student who wants to learn more about traditional knowledge systems, including dual-enrolled high school students.
The agreement aims to foster career opportunities for Alaska Native youth and provide additional training resources for all community members, grounded in traditional knowledge systems and Indigenous sciences.
“Goldbelt Heritage Foundation is committed to creating pathways for Alaska Native youth to enter healthcare professions while remaining grounded in Indigenous knowledge, language, and values,” said Neilg̱áa Koogéi Taija Revels, executive director of Goldbelt Heritage Foundation.
Revels said Goldbelt Heritage Foundation is excited to partner with the university to “expand behavioral health education and explore the development of future credential programs that can help meet critical community needs while supporting students in culturally grounded career pathways.”
UAS will offer new courses next spring, including “Haa Ḵusteeyí Yéi Ḵugax̱tusaneix̱, Our Way of Life will Heal People,” which “will explore Indigenous understandings of health and wellness as rooted in relationships with land, community, ancestors and spirit.”
A second course, “Dámaan agán hl ḵíng, Take Good Care of Yourselves,” will examine Indigenous health and well-being through the lens of subsistence practices, language, storytelling, plant knowledge and cultural arts.
Sarah Niecko, assistant professor of behavioral health and faculty lead for carrying out the agreement, said the “learning pathway” can broaden and deepen understanding of health.
“By lifting up Indigenous voices, traditions, sciences and ways of knowing, we hope to prepare healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, educators and community leaders to serve Indigenous communities respectfully and effectively,” Niecko said. “It also enables students who are Alaska Native to learn more about their own knowledge system and how their culture is protective and heals.”
This story was originally published by the Juneau Independent.
The post UAS, Goldbelt Heritage launch Indigenous health and healing ‘learning pathway’ appeared first on Chilkat Valley News.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Speedway, Ind.) — Katherine Legge has a huge challenge ahead of her. Doing “the double” is no easy task. Scrambling to do the double is even more difficult. Doing both races with teams that don’t race full time makes it even a bigger mountain. But at 45 years old — 10 years older than any other driver who has attempted the double — Legge knows it could be now or never to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte on the same day. Only five drivers, and no woman, has ever competed in both. Only one has completed all 1,100 miles. “I’m excited, but I’m also a little apprehensive,” Legge said told me and other reporters Wednesday morning prior to Indy 500 practice. “It’s going to be a lot of driving. … I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to eat. I’m going to be hungry. All the things. How am I going to stay hydrated?” Legge, who consulted with Kyle Larson as Larson attempted the double the past two years, said the program came together in just the last week and as of Wednesday morning, they were still making final plans on helicopters and planes for her to compete in both the May 24 races. She should qualify for both events as neither likely will have more entries than spots available. She will have to fly to Charlotte on May 23 after the Indy 500 drivers meeting to practice and qualify the Cup car, then back to Indianapolis that night and then scramble from the end of the Indy 500 (approximately 4 p.m. ET) for the start of the Coke 600 (engines fired likely around 6:10 p.m.) with the trip likely taking at a minimum of 80 minutes. The fact she shouldn’t have to sweat qualifying should allow her to breathe a little bit more easily as both her HMD Motorsports team (as part of a partnership with A.J. Foyt Racing) for the Indy 500 and the Live Fast Motorsports team for the 600 don’t race full time in their series. “I knew that at some point in time, it would be something that we looked at doing, but I didn’t anticipate it being this year,” Legge said. “It’s a very cool opportunity that kind of came up — obviously Indy was first [to get done] and there was a lot of talk about it, and we thought, ‘Well, why not? It might be the only opportunity I get.’ “It might not be, but I might as well take it while the iron’s hot. It’s one of those really cool things that not many people get to do.” Only one of the five drivers — Tony Stewart — has finished on the lead lap in both races on the same day. That would be a tough ask for Legge, especially in the Cup car, as Live Fast typically doesn’t finish on the lead lap on 1.5-mile ovals such as Charlotte. Some of the attempts have been stymied by weather. Legge said the Indy 500 is the priority that day. But obviously she wants to accomplish the feat of both races. “The first thing is to finish both races,” Legge said. “I’m hoping to have a good result in Indy. Charlotte? It will be my first time there in a Cup car. I’m still relatively new on an oval. So to finish that race would be a result.” With sponsorship from e.l.f. Cosmetics, Legge knows that her double attempt will be scrutinized as her being the first woman to do it. “I always say, I just want to be a race-car driver, and it doesn’t matter whether I’m black, white, female, male, whatever it may be,” Legge said. “I think I’m probably getting the opportunity to do this because I’m female, so that does not escape me, and I’m very grateful for it.” The British driver is the first non-American to attempt the feat, which she said is cool. And I do think there was another factor on whether she would ever get the chance to do this again as well as how she performs. What about her age? “Sssshh,” she said with a laugh when I mentioned her age. “I think I’m as fit as I’ve ever been. I don’t think that should factor into it. “I’m just lucky that I am getting the opportunity to do it while I still have a career and I’m not too old and decrepit to do these things.”Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
Every four years, the world stops. Offices empty. Bars fill up at 9 a.m. Nations hold their breath over a piece of leather and 22 men. Every team will dare to dream in the spirit of the tournament, but there are only a select few teams that have a realistic shot of going all the way in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With a historic 48 teams competing across Canada, Mexico and the United States for one trophy, the competition is as heated as ever. Here are the five sides who actually have a shot at winning it all: France is the undeniable juggernaut going into the 2026 World Cup. Its manager, Didier Deschamps, is often labeled as pragmatic (which is just a polite word for boring), but heading into 2026, he refined this team into a terrifying tactical machine. France’s game plan is simple: Invite pressure, then punish you for it. The moment an opponent steps too high, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise — who could finish this club season with a staggering 50-plus goal contributions — are already gone. Those three will pose all sorts of nightmares for opposing defenses. There’s no weakness in this French team. Its squad depth is so elite that you could make a legitimate case for its “B” team making a deep run in this competition. In a historic 48-team World Cup, Les Bleus’ ability to rotate without dropping quality is their most underrated advantage. They are the absolute favorites for good reason. This isn’t your grandfather’s tiki-taka. Spain still holds possession better than anyone on the planet, but Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have given this team something previous generations lacked: genuine verticality. They can still lull you into a slow death through patient build-up, but now they have the pace and technical ability on the flanks to give them a different dimension when they attack. It’s worth noting that Yamal’s fitness will be a major talking point heading into the tournament. His hamstring tear will keep him out for the rest of the La Liga season, but he’s undergoing conservative treatment to ensure he’s fit for the start of the World Cup. In the center of the park, Pedri connects everything. With his vision, passing ability and progressive carries, perhaps no one in that Spanish midfield is more important. Behind him, former Ballon d’Or winner Rodri will remain the calm presence in the holding midfield position. Rodri’s form has also been in question since he recently returned from injury at Manchester City. Usually there’s a hangover after a team wins the World Cup. Argentina didn’t get the memo. This is almost certainly Lionel Messi’s final World Cup, and that alone gives Argentina a weight no other team carries into this tournament. But Lionel Scaloni’s side isn’t built around just Messi. It’s a hard, well-drilled unit that knows how to suffer, how to counter and, most importantly, how to win ugly. With Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister entering their prime, the engine room behind Messi is more than capable of carrying the load. Argentina isn’t just playing for a trophy. It’s playing for history. For years, Brazil’s World Cup campaigns followed the same heartbreaking script: breathtaking attack, fragile defense, early exit, national mourning. Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival changes that script. The legendary Italian manager brings the kind of calm, experienced hand that a squad this talented has desperately needed. He’s a great man-manager who won’t have any trouble getting the best out of the explosive duo of Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha. More importantly, Ancelotti has finally given Brazil a defensive spine worth believing in. With Arsenal’s Gabriel and Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos anchoring the back line, this is arguably the most defensively sound Brazilian side in a generation. That defensive security is what finally lets the attack off the leash. A lot of drama will surround Neymar and whether he makes the final cut. His former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi has even weighed in on the issue, saying Neymar absolutely must be part of the Brazilian squad. The Southgate years are over. Gone is the cautious, safety-first approach that defined his tenure. In its place, Thomas Tuchel arrived with high demands and the expectation that this squad actually plays to its ability and lifts a trophy in a major tournament. Tuchel’s system prioritizes control through the middle via Declan Rice’s cerebral play. From there, the idea is to find the talent of Jude Bellingham in the half spaces where he thrives. Then there’s striker Harry Kane, who is having one of the most remarkable individual seasons in the history of European football. With more than 55 goals and assists for Bayern Munich at this point, no striker is arriving at this World Cup in better form. For a country that has been waiting 60 years, the window has rarely looked this open. Is it finally coming home?!Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
We all know the biggest stars who’ll shine at the World Cup this summer, but it’s equally valuable to highlight some of the young players who will assuredly shine on the planet’s biggest stage this summer. Some of these names aren’t exactly coming out of nowhere, as they have played pivotal roles for their clubs this season. Some are even pushing for major silverware and perhaps a Ballon d’Or nomination. But others may be about to step into the limelight. The most notable takeaway is everyone here is younger than 25 years old, and aside from their audacious talent and impact, that also shows how the modern game — for better or worse — relies on young players more than ever before. The lights will be bright at this summer’s 48-team tournament co-hosted by three countries. It’s undoubtedly their time to shine. Age: 24Position: Right Winger/Attacking MidfielderClub: Bayern Munich How Bayern Munich only paid Crystal Palace a reported $60 million for the services of the talented winger back in the summer of 2024, I’ll never know. It was an absolute steal. Olise has had a magnificent campaign with the Bavarians, who have already been crowned Bundesliga champions and just missed out on a Champions League final after losing to Paris Saint-Germain. But from an individual perspective, the England-born French attacker has been one of the most dominant forces in European soccer. It’s been Ballon d’Or worthy. Olise has 22 goals and 26 assists in all competitions. A remarkable number, especially in a team that demands so much star attention. And that’s why I, unsurprisingly, see Olise as one of the main stars for this summer. He is the kind of player who shines in a sea of jewels for two-time World Cup champion France — one of the favorites to win the entire tournament — and he can be a pivotal factor on the right wing. And if he sees himself isolated against a defender? That deadly inverted curler will almost surely deliver, thanks to his lethal left foot. Age: 23Position: Attacking Midfielder/Left WingerClub: Aston Villa If you are aware of my work, then you’ll know this might appear as a biased decision based on my support for my lifelong club, Aston Villa. But anyone who follows the Premier League and the England national team can tell you that a confident, in-form Rogers is an extremely dangerous weapon and, on his day, unstoppable. It’s true that he has slowed down a little bit in the second stage of the season as his 21 goal contributions in all competitions are not as impressive as his 2024-25 campaign, when he won PFA’s Young Player of the Year after 30 goal contributions. But his presence and longevity for Unai Emery’s side has been fundamental in order to hunt for a top-4 spot in the Premier League, and Villa’s first-ever Europa League final and first European final in 44 years. In fact, no one in the league has covered more ground than Rogers this season. For England, Thomas Tuchel has a tactical dilemma about what to do with the No. 10 role: Use Rogers or his very good friend, Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham? Here’s what I think: Rogers actually doesn’t have a preferred position. He is a nomad of the pitch and loves to hover across the entire front line without restrictions, so Tuchel has a unique opportunity to allow Rogers to be himself and cover pockets that enable him to drive forward in the final third, from wide areas or centrally. This is a skill that exists only with very special players, and Rogers can be that for England. Age: 23Position: Attacking Midfielder/Central MidfielderClub: FC Barcelona Lamine Yamal’s hamstring injury has clearly prompted Spain manager Luis de la Fuente to tinker with the starting lineup. But here’s the thing about La Roja: The creative quality of this national team — from Pedri to Mikel Oyarzabal — is everywhere. One of its key weapons is Yamal’s Barcelona colleague and newly crowned league champion, Fermín Lopez. As an attacking midfielder, Lopez is also a left-winger who likes to come inside and even act as a false nine, so his productivity is multifunctional. That’s why he has the second-highest goal contributions this season (30) for the Catalan club behind Yamal. For Spain, he is used practically anywhere across the front line. And here’s the other characteristic about him: He doesn’t stop running. Ever. I watched him live in preseason last summer and, my goodness, you can see why Barcelona manager Hansi Flick likes him. His energy is almost always unmatched. With or without Yamal, Spain is a major favorite for this summer’s World Cup, and it’s my belief that Lopez will play a decisive role. Age: 21Position: Attacking MidfielderClub: Como 1907 The best thing that happened to the young attacking midfielder was to leave Real Madrid in 2024 and sign with Serie A’s Como, managed by Spanish great Cesc Fàbregas. Since then, he has elevated his game with the Italian club to tremendous levels. Last season, Paz contributed 14 goals for the newly promoted side, but in this campaign, he was exceptional as the team earned Champions League and European football for the first time in history. Paz has earned 20 goal contributions, including 13 goals. He is very much in the mold of a new breed of creative midfielder, a modern version of Croatia’s Luka Modrić, so to speak. And I think Argentina is going to need a lot of playmakers in this World Cup, given the fact that its legendary captain, Lionel Messi, is not getting any younger. There isn’t someone like Angel Di María to make things happen in difficult situations. Paz can be that player. This is a big summer for him as his future is uncertain with Como. Real Madrid, which own half his rights and a limited buy-back clause, might want to try and sign him back. As a result, he has an opportunity to truly impress as part of Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni’s squad, which will do everything possible to retain the World Cup trophy — something only done before by two nations: Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962). Age: 22Position: Defensive MidfielderClub: Bayern Munich You know you’re doing something right when one of the best German players in history in your position compliments you, and that’s exactly what World Cup winner and Bayern Munich legend Bastian Schweinsteiger said of Pavlović, calling him world-class and a leader in waiting. “[Joshua] Kimmich must be mentioned first as a leader, and I’d also like to see Pavlović step into that role,” Schweinsteiger told German outlet Abendzeitung. “He has developed superbly at Bayern and plays a key role there.” Pavlović is the future of Germany’s midfield. It’s pure and simple. His work is similar to that of Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos, as he often makes imposing runs and dribbles with tenacity in the opponent’s third. But his ability to lie deep in the middle and analyze danger also makes him a powerful defensive tool. He has a knack for scoring audacious long-range goals too. The scariest part about him? He’s only 22. Age: 18Position: Left Winger/ForwardClub: Paris Saint-Germain In many ways, the young attacker and/or winger from Senegal, who plays for Luis Enrique’s PSG, is a player with two personalities. For PSG, arguably the best team in European football, he has played a big role in Ligue 1 action. He most often comes from the bench, which shouldn’t be surprising, as PSG has an embarrassment of riches in attacking players such as Ousmane Dembélé, Desiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and many others. But for Senegal, that’s where he takes every single opportunity to shine. At the African Cup of Nations tournament in January, the then 17-year-old was electric as he became the youngest scorer ever for his national team after a goal against Sudan in the Round of 16. He also assisted Senegal star Sadio Mané against Congo DR and won a penalty against Benin. There’s a sense that Senegal will do well at this World Cup, but the challenges will come immediately, as it all kicks off with a tasty opener against France. Mbaye — who was born in France and played through the ranks of the French youth system — will see this, like many Senegalese, as an opportunity to do what the team did back in 2002 when the Lions of Teranga earned a historic World Cup debut victory against the then-defending champions.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports