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On the fourth day of the fourth month of the year, we’re down to four teams in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament. No. 2 seed UConn will face off against No. 3 seed Illinois in the Final Four on Saturday night, while a pair of No. 1 seeds go up against each other when Arizona meets Michigan. Here’s the last time each of the four teams that reached this year’s Final Four played in a national championship. Note: Schools are mentioned in alphabetical order. Arizona – 2001 Following consecutive seasons of being eliminated from the NCAA Tournament in the opening weekend, the Wildcats went on a run to the national title in 2001. Among its best wins in the 2001 tournament, No. 2 seed Arizona took down No. 1 seed Illinois, Michigan State — in an 80-61 victory over the then-defending champions — and No. 3 seed Ole Miss en route to reaching the title game. Led by future three-time All-NBA honoree All-Star Gilbert Arenas, Michael Wright and Richard Jefferson, among others, the Wildcats reached their second title game in five years (they were also in the 1997 national championship). That said, Jay Williams, Shane Battier, Carlos Boozer and No. 1 seed Duke bested Arizona in the championship game. Illinois – 2005 Illinois was a force to be reckoned with in the 2004-05 season. Losing just one game in the regular season, the Fighting Illini won both the Big Ten regular-season title and the Big Ten Tournament. After No. 1 seed Illinois played a trio of contested games in the first three rounds of the NCAA Tournament, future NBA star Deron Williams, Luther Head, Dee Brown & Co. proceeded to get a one-point overtime victory over No. 3 seed Arizona in the Elite Eight and beat No. 4 seed Louisville with conviction in the Final Four. Top-seeded North Carolina was the end of the road for Illinois. The 2004-05 season marks the only time that the Illini have reached the title game. Michigan – 2018 Michigan earned a No. 3 seed in the 2018 NCAA Tournament and ultimately made its second national championship appearance in six years (it made the 2013 national title game). The Wolverines defeated No. 14 seed Montana, No. 6 seed Houston, No. 7 seed Texas A&M, No. 9 seed Florida State and surging No. 11 seed Loyola to reach the national championship. Moritz Wagner, Charles Matthews and Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman led the way for Michigan, which also had future NBA starters Jordan Poole and Duncan Robinson, among other pro players, on the roster. But Jay Wright’s Villanova squad — which featured future NBA star Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Donte DiVincenzo — at the height of their reign awaited Michigan and got the best of the Wolverines in the championship game. UConn – 2024 After winning the 2023 national title, UConn put together an even better campaign in the 2023-24 season. Losing just three games in the regular season, the Huskies won both the Big East regular-season title and the Big East Tournament — and then they annihilated the competition in the NCAA Tournament. Among its more impressive tournament victories, top-seeded UConn beat No. 5 seed San Diego State — who the Huskies beat in the 2023 title game — in the Sweet 16 (82-52), No. 3 seed Illinois in the Elite Eight (77-52), No. 4 seed Alabama in the Final Four (86-72) and No. 1 seed  Purdue in the championship (75-60). UConn beat its six tournament opponents by an average of 23.3 points per game. The Huskies went on to have two players selected within the top 10 picks of the 2024 NBA Draft (Stephon Castle at No. 4 and Donovan Clingan at No. 7) and four players selected altogether (Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer were selected in the second round).​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Week 2 of the 2026 UFL season continued Saturday with the Orlando Storm (2-0) taking down the Louisville Kings (0-2). Kicking things off Friday, the reigning champion DC Defenders (1-1) took care of business against the Columbus Aviators (0-2). Up next, the Birmingham Stallions (1-0) take on the Houston Gamblers (0-1) on Sunday, while Week 2 concludes Tuesday with the St. Louis Battlehawks (1-0) battling the Dallas Renegades (1-0). Here are the results from Week 2: DC Defenders 44, Columbus Aviators 26 Key players: Defenders QB Jordan Ta’amu (8-for-11 for 99 yards, one touchdown), RB Deon Jackson (11 carries for 97 yards, three touchdowns); Aviators QB Jalan McClendon (23-for-37 for 157 yards, two touchdowns), RB Jalan McClendon (eight carries for 55 yards, one touchdown). Game recap: Both teams came out swinging in this one, rattling off touchdowns on each of their first drives. The Defenders went 60 yards in eight plays before hitting pay dirt, while the Aviators took 13 plays to go the same distance. Nonetheless, it was tied 7-all headed into the second quarter. The Defenders cashed in for a field goal on their next drive to take a 10-7 lead, while the Aviators missed from 51 yards on their ensuing possession. DC then took charge with back-to-back touchdowns to make it 24-7. Both of them came on the ground, with running back Xazavian Valladay first punching in a 10-yard score and Jackson adding a 12-yard touchdown. A muffed punt on the next drive gave the ball right back to Columbus, which answered with a rushing score of its own to make it 24-14. The last first-half possession for both teams was an interception, so it remained a 10-point game at halftime. Chaos ensued in the second half for the Aviators, who fumbled the ball twice in the third quarter. The Defenders scored twice off those miscues, extending their lead to 38-14 midway through the frame. Columbus was able to add a touchdown late in the third quarter to cut into DC’s lead, but it was too little too late. The Defenders added a field goal early in the fourth quarter to make it a 21-point game, 41-20, and the Aviators were never able to catch up. Another fumble, turnover on downs and an interception sealed Columbus’ fate and sent the Aviators to 0-2 on the season. Up next: In Week 3, the Defenders host the Gamblers on Saturday, and the Aviators are on the road vs. the Renegades on Sunday. Orlando Storm 19, Louisville Kings 9 Key players: Storm QB Jack Plummer (18-for-23 for 182 yards, two touchdowns), WR Elijhah Badger (2-for-3 for 59 yards, one touchdown), WR KJ Hamler(4-for-5 for 59 yards, one touchdown), K Michael Lantz (2-for-2, long of 57); Kings QB Chandler Rogers (13-for-20 for 151 yards). Game recap: Things started off slow for both teams. The Kings went three-and-out to start, while the Storm turned the ball over on downs on their first drive. Both sides got on the board with a field goal on their next possession to make it 3-all late in the first quarter. It was more of the game in the second quarter, as both teams rattled off field goals to make it 6-all midway through the frame. Louisville added another field goal to make it 9-6, but then Orlando took its first lead of the night just before halftime when Plummer connected with Hamler for a monster 41-yard touchdown. Just like that, the Storm took a 12-9 lead into the break. After a quiet third quarter that resulted in no points for either team, Orlando added one more touchdown late in the fourth quarter to seal a double-digit win, 19-9. Up next: In Week 3, the Kings and the Storm are back at it again on Friday, but this time Louisville is hosting. Birmingham Stallions at Houston Gamblers Key players: Stallions QB Matt Corral, WR Deon Cain, WR John Ross, WR Jaydon Mickens, RB Anthony McFarland Jr.; Gamblers QB Hunter Dekkers, WR Jontre Kirklin, RB Kirk Merritt, CB Damon Arnette. Game recap: Stay tuned for updates. Up next: In Week 3, the Stallions are on the road vs. the Battlehawks on Sunday, and the Gamblers are on the road vs. the Defenders on Saturday. St. Louis Battlehawks at Dallas Renegades Key players: Battlehawks QB Brandon Silvers, OLB Pita Taumoepenu, OLB Travis Feeney, DT Carlos Davis; Renegades QB Austin Reed, WR Tyler Vaughns, WR Greg Ward, OL Tremayne Anchrum Jr., WR Deontay Burnett. Game recap: Stay tuned for updates. Up next: In Week 3, the Battlehawks are hosting the Stallions on Sunday, and the Renegades are hosting the Aviators on Sunday.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

LAS VEGAS — In a 35-second span midway through the first half Wednesday night, with Baylor trailing Minnesota in the opening round of the College Basketball Crown, freshman guard Tounde Yessoufou authored an exhilarating sequence that encapsulated why so many NBA scouts and executives are awaiting his decision to turn pro or remain with the Bears for another season. The flurry began with Yessoufou peeling off his man defensively to snag a rebound following a missed 3-point shot by the Gophers. He dribbled across midcourt and dished to a teammate before settling into position near the free-throw line against the Minnesota zone. After ensuring the rest of Baylor’s players were properly aligned, Yessoufou popped out beyond the 3-point line, caught a pass, pump faked and glided into the lane for an acrobatic layup through contact, tying the game before landing painfully on the hardwood. Undeterred, Yessoufou hopped back up, grimacing and grasping at his left hip all the while. He retreated into a defensive position and tracked his man across the baseline to make a leaping block on an attempted 3-pointer, swatting the ball into the stands directly in front of the Baylor bench. His teammates rose from their seats to bellow, flex and roar. From that point on, the Bears never trailed in an eventual 67-48 win that propelled them into a semifinal matchup with Oklahoma on Saturday (1:30 pm ET on FOX). “It’s a blessing to play in April,” Baylor head coach Scott Drew told me after the game. “I know our guys are really excited. All of them took it real serious, obviously, and stayed in shape, worked out and wanted to come here and compete. I’m proud of how we fought the first game. And [I’m] also proud that everybody not only wanted to keep playing for Baylor University, but they wanted to split the [prize] money up and make it even and do it as a team. As a coach, you just love that.” Having his entire team buy into the postseason tournament here in Las Vegas was particularly meaningful for Drew after what can only be described as a disappointing regular season. Despite fielding an extremely talented roster that includes two potential first-round picks in Yessoufou (17.9 points per game) and fellow wing Cameron Carr (19 points per game), the Bears could only muster a 16-16 overall record entering the College Basketball Crown, sinking into a tie for 13th in the Big 12 standings. It would have been easy — and perhaps even understandable — for Drew’s future pros to simply wash their hands of Baylor’s downtrodden campaign after bowing out in the conference tournament, focusing instead on the pre-draft process and their impending decisions. Instead, both players have chosen to remain fully committed for however long the Bears’ season lasts. Yessoufou, who was battling sickness on Wednesday night, scored a team-high 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds against the Gophers. Carr, who turned an ankle early in the first half but still logged 37 minutes, added 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds. As a pair, Yessoufou and Carr form what is unquestionably the most talented duo remaining in this year’s field, and that alone gives Baylor an excellent chance to win it all. “I think it just speaks to their character,” Drew told me after Baylor’s win on Wednesday night. “Wanting to play for Baylor, wanting to have a chance to win a championship, that speaks volumes to them. I know everybody is entitled to their own decisions — and every situation is different — but I know we’re excited that they’re playing. “Tounde was under the weather. I mean, he could have said he wasn’t ready to play tonight. You saw that he loves to play, he loves to compete, loves to support his team and did a great job. Cam tweaked his ankle early and could have just sat it down. And he wanted to compete, wanted to play for his team. As a coach, you’re really proud of that.” Yessoufou is a complicated evaluation for NBA scouts and executives. A former five-star recruit in the 2025 cycle, he has an NBA-ready physique, despite being one month shy of his 20th birthday. The broad and brawny shoulders on his 6-foot-5, 215-pound frame give way to rippling biceps that are in keeping with Yessoufou’s bullying play style, muscling through defenders as an aggressive slasher. He ranks 13th among freshmen in the PRPG! metric on Torvik, which calculates how many points per game an individual contributes to his team beyond what a replacement-level player would provide. But Yessoufou doesn’t shoot the ball well enough from the perimeter (29.5% on 3s, 0-for-4 vs. Minnesota) to be viewed as a multidimensional scoring threat at this juncture in his career. And he’s not quite big enough to play either forward spot in the NBA. An argument can be made that Yessoufou could benefit significantly from another year in college dedicated to improving his 3-point shot. “Regardless of whatever the decision may be, whether it’s me going or not, I will always play,” Yessoufou told me when asked about his decision to participate in the College Basketball Crown. “I’m a competitive guy. I always want to compete at a high level. And if I have the chance to wear this jersey one more time, who knows, I’m willing to do it any time of day.” Carr, a redshirt sophomore, is viewed by most evaluators as having the higher NBA ceiling and a player likely to be selected in the low- to mid-20s should he choose to enter the draft. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds, he possesses a massive wingspan that has been measured at greater than seven feet. When paired with his eye-catching, pogo-stick athleticism — evidenced by one high-flying alley-oop finish against the Gophers and an array of body-contorting finishes around the rim — it’s easy to appreciate his lofty potential. Originally a four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting cycle, Carr spent his first two collegiate years in a reserve role at Tennessee. He made just 14 appearances as a true freshman and only four as a sophomore before leaving the Volunteers near the midway point of last season, ultimately landing at Baylor in time for the 2025-26 campaign. Carr’s production skyrocketed once he assumed a more prominent role for the Bears: He scored at least 20 points in 15 games this season and shot 38.5% from beyond the arc — all while grading out as Baylor’s best defender, according to EvanMiya.com. The argument for Carr to turn pro is far clearer. But first, Carr and Yessoufou are aiming to rewrite the end to Baylor’s season by hoisting the College Basketball Crown. Their decisions about whether to enter the NBA Draft can wait a while longer. “I really feel like the best impression is the last impression,” Baylor guard Obi Agbim told me after the win over Minnesota. “So just us leaving a really good last impression, I feel like it would mean a lot to us to be able to cut down a net and leave as winners instead of losers. I really think that’s a big emphasis for us to finish our season.” In Game Changers, we offer the playbook on the characters you need to know, on the court and off.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The Guardians’ knight helmet, a purchase made by pitcher Tanner Bibee during a spring training team bonding trip to Medieval Times in Scottsdale, Arizona, has turned into a celebratory prop in the dugout. It is worn by any Cleveland batter who hits a home run. Through the team’s first three games, however, only one player had the honor of getting the silver helmet ceremoniously placed atop his head — again and again and again and again. Last weekend, rookie Chase DeLauter joined Trevor Story as the only two players in Major League Baseball history to launch four home runs through their first three career regular-season games. Six games into the Guardians’ season, DeLauter was still the only Cleveland player who had gone deep. So, Austin Hedges and other veterans on the team began referring to their medieval headgear by a different moniker: “Chase’s homer helmet.”DeLauter kept that helmet warm again Friday, returning to the lineup after a brief injury scare and belting his fifth homer of the season in the Guardians’ home opener against the Cubs to move into a tie atop MLB’s home-run leaderboard. “It’s just such a cool feeling,” DeLauter told me at Dodgers Stadium earlier this week during the Guardians’ three-game series in Los Angeles. “Being one of the younger guys on the team and looking up to guys that have been here for a while and future Hall of Famers, it’s a cool feeling to just feel like you’re a part of that.” “It’s just such a cool feeling,” DeLauter told me at Dodgers Stadium earlier this week during the Guardians’ three-game series in Los Angeles. “Being one of the younger guys on the team and looking up to guys that have been here for a while and future Hall of Famers, it’s a cool feeling to just feel like you’re a part of that.” DeLauter, who was named AL Player of the Week, has been much more than a supporting member of the Guardians’ lineup through the season’s first days; he’s the starring attraction. The 24-year-old outfielder has produced a 1.122 OPS through his first six games and made believers of everyone in the clubhouse, including a team leader in Hedges who just celebrated his 10th year of MLB service time. “Twelve years ago, I think everyone saw Jose Ramirez walk into a room and was like, ‘That guy’s got something,’” Hedges told me. “Chase has something. He’s got something very special … and we’re not even scratching the surface of what this kid’s capable of.” ‘A Sense of Belonging’ Last year, the Guardians made a furious late-season comeback and won the AL Central for the second straight year despite an offense that ranked last in OPS in the American League. This winter, they added veteran slugger Rhys Hoskins on a minor-league deal but did nothing else to try to fix their offensive shortcomings. Improvements would have to come from within. At some point this year, 2024 top overall draft pick Travis Bazzana is expected to make his debut. As the first Australian-born player to get selected in the first round, Bazzana created buzz in Triple-A last season after having an .858 OPS in 26 games while also belting a home run for his country at the World Baseball Classic in March. – Who is Travis Bazzana? Australian Prospect Talks Sydney and Sushi Already, though, another top prospect and former first-round selection is making his presence felt. Coming off three injury-shortened minor-league campaigns and a playoff cameo, DeLauter is seizing his opportunity after breaking camp with the big-league club. “Even talking to him about his phone blowing up and all these people contacting him, I just love how he’s going about it,” outfielder Steven Kwan told me. “He sets his boundaries, he knows his circle, he knows his people who are important to him. He’s not going out doing all these interviews and podcasts and clout-chasing stuff. He’s here to play baseball.” The first week of DeLauter’s regular-season MLB career began with two homers on Opening Day — including a first-inning blast off Mariners ace Logan Gilbert in his first career regular-season plate appearance — and ended with the Guardians rookie leading all of MLB in home runs. It’s important to specify “regular season,” because Opening Day was not DeLauter’s first time roaming the Guardians outfield. DeLauter made his first big-league start last October in Game 2 of the Guardians’ wild-card series against Detroit, when he became just the sixth player ever to debut in a postseason game. The decision was even more surprising considering he hadn’t played in a professional game in nearly three months after undergoing surgery to repair a hamate fracture and had only played in 138 games over three minor-league seasons following a litany of injuries. But Cleveland’s front office believed in his ability to handle the enormity of the moment and, more importantly, the upside of his talent. “I think through the obstacles and challenges and lost time, I think he learned a ton about himself and developed those routines that are now allowing him to do what he’s doing,” assistant general manager Matt Forman told me. “He’s always made great swing decisions, he’s always made good contact. When he hits the ball, he hits it really hard. He adds value in the other parts of his game, defensively and on the bases. Could he have been contributing at this level in the past? I’m not sure, but he’s put himself in position to do it now.” “He’s confident; he’s not arrogant,” added Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. “He’s not cocky. He’s very confident in his abilities, and he was ready to be a big leaguer. We were just waiting for him to get healthy. Once he got healthy, we’re sitting there in a win-or-go-home game, it was like, yeah, he can handle this.” DeLauter’s first inning as a big-leaguer, however, began ominously. On a sunny day in Cleveland last October against the Tigers, DeLauter dropped the first ball ever hit to him in center field. “That was kind of my moment of like, ‘Oh, gosh, I’m going to have to really baby him and take care of him,” said Kwan, who was playing left field that day. But the way DeLauter responded to the mistake, and the quiet confidence he exuded in the midst of an elimination game, let Kwan know that wouldn’t be necessary. “Just seeing his energy, it immediately told me, ‘Oh, this kid’s going to be just fine,’” Kwan continued. “I don’t know how I would react if I dropped my first fly ball ever in the big leagues in a playoff game, but he handled it so well, with grace.” DeLauter followed the error by drawing an eight-pitch walk in his first career plate appearance. In the fourth, he made up for his defensive miscue by delivering a 92.3 mph strike from center field to cut down Zach McKinstry at third base and stifle a Detroit rally with a throw that flipped the momentum in an eventual Cleveland win. DeLauter’s next two at-bats ended in hard-hit outs, including a 110.8 mph lineout to center that represented the hardest-hit ball of the day for the Guardians. “For me, it was kind of a sense of belonging, feeling like they believe I can help the team win,” DeLauter said. “I think for any player that’s coming up, that’s a huge thing. Confidence is everything, and to have these guys have my back in that situation — especially after having an unfortunate first inning, I would say — it’s everything. That confidence does wonders.” ‘No Moment Too Big for Him’ Intrigue and injury have defined every stop of DeLauter’s career to this point. He excelled in the Cape Cod League in 2021, hitting nine homers with more walks than strikeouts in 34 games, and hit over .400 in three seasons at James Madison. But he only played in 66 college games. In his final year of college, he jumped out to a 1.404 OPS in 24 games before breaking his left foot. Shortly after getting selected 16th overall by Cleveland in 2022, another foot injury required surgery that delayed his minor-league debut until the following summer. In 2024, he fractured his left foot again and also dealt with toe and hamstring injuries. Last year, he suffered a core muscle injury in the spring and needed hernia surgery. He returned in May and started feeling like himself again in the summer only to then fracture the hamate bone in his right wrist in July. “It’s tough, man,” DeLauter told me. “I think it helps, though, going forward. The failures, the successes, the day-to-day process during the season, it’s kind of the same deal. You’re not rehabbing or dealing with body situations, but you go 0-for-4 with four punchies, and you could hit three homers the next day.” Last Saturday in Seattle, DeLauter’s home run streak seemed destined to end after striking out three times and then grounding out in the seventh. When a final opportunity presented itself in extra innings, DeLauter fell down in the count against All-Star closer Andres Munoz before muscling a 97 mph fastball up and out of the zone the other way for a two-run homer to break the game open. “He’s just shown there’s no moment too big for him,” Vogt said. “He’s showing maturity beyond his experience, and we’ve seen that in him for years now.” In between all the injuries, DeLauter has always produced. He slashed .302/.384/.504 with 20 home runs and nearly as many walks (70) as strikeouts (80) in his minor-league career, showcasing a rare combination of plate discipline and power that made him the top prospect in Cleveland’s system. Those preternatural skills  are now making him one of the most promising rookies in the sport. He’s already the No. 2 hitter in Cleveland’s lineup, sandwiched between a two-time All-Star in Kwan and a seven-time All-Star in Ramírez. “To have a guy like that, a real home run presence in our lineup, I think it opens up so many opportunities,” Kwan said. “And I think it makes my job a little easier. Just get on first base, and I’m in scoring position. And again, just professional at-bats. We’re going to see a ton of pitches when he’s at the plate. That helps Jose, [he] gets on base, and it just keeps rolling. It’s a contagious thing.” Last year, Cleveland right fielders ranked last in MLB in both wins above replacement (-1.6) and OPS (.605). In a short sample this year, they rank in the top five in both categories thanks mostly to DeLauter, who said his only personal goal this year is being available for 162 games. That hope, however, has already been quashed. The entire city of Cleveland held its collective breath in the first inning Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium when DeLauter fouled a 97.6 mph fastball from Shohei Ohtani off his surgically-repaired left foot. DeLauter grounded out on the next pitch and immediately hobbled out of the game. Finally, though, DeLauter appears to have caught a break, not suffered one. X-rays came back negative, and he was back in the lineup Friday for his team’s home opener against the Cubs. Finally, though, DeLauter received positive injury news when X-rays came back negative. He was back in the lineup for Cleveland’s home opener on Friday, putting “Chase’s homer helmet” to good use again. “He’s super hungry,” Hoskins said. “Great start, but he knows that he’s out for more.” In “Touching Base,” we check on the top players and topics making headlines around baseball and what comes next. Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

It wasn’t all chalk to get to this point, but in the end, the four No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament are the ones now set to play in the Final Four. All four are dominant squads, and it doesn’t take much imagination to see any of them as the 2026 national champion. We’re here to get you ready for both Friday’s Final Four matchups and the title game on Sunday, so you can see just how these teams got here, their historical success — or lack of it — and just how must-win 2026 is for each. 1-seed South Carolina (35-3) vs. 1-seed UConn (38-0) There will be no rematch of last year’s national championship, in which UConn defeated South Carolina to secure a record 12th title — that’s because the Huskies and Gamecocks are insteading facing off in the semifinals of the 2026 Women’s Basketball Tournament. Both rosters have been remade significantly since their previous meeting. South Carolina is faster-paced now, more offensive-minded, but still a punishing defensive team. UConn lost facilitating guard Paige Bueckers to the WNBA, but Sarah Strong emerged as the floor general in her place, and the roster was rebuilt with a pace that’s difficult to keep up with across four quarters, both offensively and defensively, in mind. If any team is to do it, though, and end UConn’s undefeated season, it would be one of the three other teams remaining. South Carolina: Dawn Staley took over as the coach of the Gamecocks in 2008-2009, and South Carolina made the tournament just a few years later, in 2012. It has participated every season since (save 2020, when it was canceled due to COVID-19), with the Gamecocks winning the championship in 2017, 2022 and 2024, losing in the finals in 2018 and 2025 and making it to the Final Four on three other occasions. South Carolina is and has been a powerhouse since Staley took over, and this season has been no different. The Gamecocks have three players who could all conceivably be selected in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft: guard Raven Johnson (10.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists), forward Madina Okot (13.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks) and guard Ta’Niya Latson (14.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists). That means two things: first is that South Carolina has a terrifying starting lineup, and second is that there is no better time than the present to win that fourth national championship. Don’t take that to mean that South Carolina is doomed once Johnson, Okot and Latson move on to the pros, however. It’s easy to make an argument that none of the three is actually the best player on South Carolina, for one — sophomore forward Joyce Edwards has scored 19.7 points per game with 6.7 boards and 2.4 assists, and she’s joined by junior guard Tessa Johnson, who has posted 12.9/3.5/2.6 in the same categories. This roster is loaded, and Staley has the eye for talent and ability to recruit to ensure it stays that way. All five of the starters on the 2022 championship team ended up in the WNBA, with four more players besides getting there eventually, and that was the title team after the one with A’ja Wilson on it. You know, the three-time WNBA MVP and one of the most terrifying defensive presences in the sport. Life will be easier for South Carolina if it wins now, with this collection of talent — the Gamecocks are already here, after all. But they are likely to be back, just like they got back to this point following last year’s defeat that cost them Te-Hina Paopao, Sania Feagan and Bree Hall to the W, and MiLaysia Fulwiley to LSU. UConn: The defending champions, and also undefeated at 38-0 to this point. While UConn had the toughest non-conference schedule in Division I during the regular season, it has not had to face a challenge at the level of South Carolina, UCLA or Texas yet, as the Huskies didn’t get their annual regular-season matchup against the Gamecocks in. There are questions, then, about just how UConn will do against these teams, but that being said this is still the team leading the league in adjusted Net Rating thanks to having the best adjusted Defensive Rating in Division I, as well as the third-best Offensive Rating. All this level of competition means is that the run of blowouts is at an end, but that’s true for all four of these teams, not just the Huskies. UConn is a youthful team for the most part, as fifth-year guard Azzi Fudd and forward Serah Williams are both likely first-round picks in the WNBA Draft, but other than that, this is a roster composed mostly of underclassmen with a couple of junior starters — guards KK Arnold (2026 Big East First Team) and Ashlynn Shade — thrown in. Don’t discount UConn for having “just” two potential first-round picks on the roster, however: Williams is a defense-first forward who could go to the back of the opening round, but Fudd is an excellent shooter (17.5 points, 46% on 3-pointers to lead the Big East for the second year in a row) and Associated Press First Team All-American who could very well be the top pick in the WNBA Draft, thanks to that and her ability to be an aggressive defender. Like with South Carolina, though, the real star is a sophomore: forward Sarah Strong, who was named both the Naismith and Associated Press player of the year after averaging 18.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, a Big East-leading 3.4 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. Strong’s Defensive Rating of 55.8 led the nation, and as of now, she has the best career Defensive Rating in women’s college basketball history, at 60.8 through 77 career games. She is nowhere near finished with her time in college, but that should give you some insight into why UConn is so heavily oriented around its defense at present. Also, like with South Carolina, UConn isn’t going away in the short term, win or lose: Strong is a sophomore, and Big East freshman of the year Blanca Quinonez (10.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists in 20.2 minutes per game) is only becoming more important as the season goes on, with her role likely elevating further next year after Williams graduates. Shade and Arnold will return as seniors, sharpshooting guard Allie Ziebell and hustle-defender guard Kayleigh Heckel will be juniors, center Jana El Alfy — whose per-40-minute rebounding stats pop — will still only be a junior, and that’s before you throw in that UConn recruited the 2026 Gatorade Player of the Year, Olivia Vukosa, out of high school for next season. Not going away, but what better time than now all the same? UConn is already here; Strong, if she’s to cement a legacy as one of the best to don a Huskies’ uniform, could stand to add another trophy or two considering who has already come through Storrs. UConn might have the most titles of anyone, Geno Auriemma’s shelf is plenty full, but player legacies are still at play here, and just the 11th undefeated championship season in women’s basketball history is on the line as well. 1-seed Texas (35-3) vs. 1-seed UCLA (35-1) The only team to defeat UCLA in the 2025-2026 season? Texas. And while the Bruins have since added freshman forward Sienna Betts — sister of Lauren Betts — to the active roster, improving their depth, Texas got better the old-fashioned way: by losing and getting chewed out in public by its coach. Vic Schaefer’s postgame disappointment with the Longhorns following a loss to Vanderbilt resulted in Texas taking heed and playing harder from that point forward: the Longhorns have not lost since, and have bulldozed their way through March Madness. UCLA, meanwhile, ran through a truly difficult Big Ten as if it were nothing, finishing undefeated in conference play and continuing to excel in March. Texas: The Longhorns lost three games all season. One to high-scoring LSU, 70-65, and a second to South Carolina, 68-65. The third was the aforementioned defeat against Vanderbilt, which was the only one where Texas actively looked beaten — the game was never truly as close as the final score of 86-70 implies, which is why Schaefer went off postgame. This is the only team to topple UCLA all year, and now the two are facing off in the Final Four. The Longhorns have just one national championship, and it’s an all-timer: the 1985-1986 team was the first-ever undefeated champion, at 34-0. Texas has been plenty competitive since almost without interruption, but has fallen short in the Final Four on three occasions since winning it all, never actually making it back to the title game for a second chance. Seven Elite Eight appearances and five Sweet 16 defeats — Texas has gotten within reach of the promised land time and time again in the last 40 years, but rarely as close as they are now. And it’s difficult not to feel as if the Longhorns need to win now — it’s not a matter of now or never, given the program is so often right there in the thick of things or at least in the tournament, but with fifth-year guard Rori Harmon and senior Kyla Oldacre both starters, and both so vital to the program’s success… iron, hot, you know the saying. Harmon isn’t a huge scorer, but still put up 8.4 points per game in 2025-2026, and her 6.3 assists made sure others had opportunities for buckets. Oldacre scored 10.4 points with 6.2 rebounds, so her contributions have been significant, too. Still, there’s plenty of eligibility left in the starting lineup: junior forward Madison Booker is the team’s leading scorer, at 19.3 points per game, and adds plenty of boards (6.7) and dimes (3.8), too. Sophomore guard Jordan Lee has averaged 13.3 points per game; sophomore forward Justice Carlton is at 8.5 with 4.0 rebounds. This is a stellar defensive team, one right behind UConn in Defensive Rating, but it does have a flaw: the Longhorns are not a 3-point team. Which works fine when Texas is comfortably ahead, but not so much when it needs a trey. And against the likes of UCLA, UConn and South Carolina, there will be reasons to need the deep ball. That being said, Texas has not only beaten UCLA without the 3, but South Carolina twice — the Longhorns are terrifying, and in the best position they have been in to win it all in years in more ways than just proximity. UCLA: What will UCLA look like next season? It’s a question that’s impossible to answer, other than knowing that it won’t look like it does right now. The success could still be there, but as for who is responsible for it on the court, well. Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens, Gabriela Jacquez and Charlieese Leger-Walker are all expected to be selected in the 2026 WNBA Draft, and also make up five of the six most-played players on the roster this season — the other, Angela Dugalic, is also a senior. Sienna Betts is next up, at 14.7 minutes per game. Very few of the points, rebounds, assists — of anything — in 2026-2027 are going to come from players who were on the 2025-2026 UCLA roster. It’s also the question that makes this current run so important. UCLA could absolutely be back in this spot next year, but without the 6-foot-7 Betts, who was Big Ten player of the year? Without Rice both scoring and facilitating so easily? It’s not going to be easy to pull off, is all. And that matters even more than it usually would, since UCLA has never won a national championship: the men’s team holds the record for the most in that league, with 11, but the women’s team has never so much as made it to a national championship game. Last season was its first-ever Final Four appearance; before that, a couple of Elite Eight appearances had been the apex. There is a real fear that if UCLA can’t win with this collection of absurd talent — the kind you look back on in 10 to 15 years and go, “Wait, the Bruins had Betts and Rice and Kneepkens and…” — then it’s just not going to happen for a lot longer. That could be unfounded for a whole lot of reasons — coach Cori Close has built this program into a Big Ten champion with Lauren Betts as its star, and thanks to the transfer portal and recruiting it could become one again with a different Betts at its center. But telling a fan base that has already waited over four decades for a title that things will still be fine if there isn’t a trophy to bring home in 2026, well, that’s a tough sell, especially given it’s difficult to imagine a women’s basketball team that can be more dominant than this one, which lost just one game all year and averaged nearly 30 more points scored per game than it allowed. UCLA can win with this group, though, as the rest of the league knows — Texas might be different this time around, but the Bruins are, too. South Carolina and UCLA didn’t face off this season, but it’s not like the Gamecocks dominated opponents UCLA failed to crush. UConn might have ended the Bruins’ dreams a year ago in the Final Four, but neither of those teams are the same this time around, either. It’s going to be some Final Four this year, is what we are trying to say.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA (LAS VEGAS) — With 7:23 remaining in a game that felt more and more like a foregone conclusion, a fan behind the Creighton bench held up a sign for all to see. On a white background and written in blue letters, the message was equal parts clear and concise: “THANK YOU Coach Mac!!!” The sign, of course, referred to Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott, who won his 366th game for Creighton on Thursday night by pulling away from Rutgers, 82-69, in the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Crown. Last month, the 61-year-old McDermott announced his intention to retire at the end of this year, calling it quits on an exceptional career that included 10 NCAA Tournament appearances with the Bluejays and 14 seasons featuring at least 20 victories. For now, though, McDermott’s legendary run continues thanks to a second-half surge against the Scarlet Knights. His team will move on to face West Virginia in the semifinals on Saturday. Here are my takeaways from Day 2 of the College Basketball Crown: 1. Creighton comes to life in the second half to prolong Greg McDermott’s tenure Because of when the College Basketball Crown takes place each year — roughly three weeks removed from the end of most conference tournaments — there is an element of strategy involved when it comes to preparation. Some coaches have chosen to afford their players extra time off following a grueling five-month season. Others have preferred to parlay whatever momentum their programs might have into additional practices that can play an important role in player development. There is no universal, or universally accepted, approach. How and when Creighton might prepare for this year’s event was draped with an extra layer of uncertainty once McDermott shared his decision to retire at the campaign’s end. That meant it was fair to wonder about the Bluejays’ collective level of focus given the impending transition from McDermott, who has been at the helm since 2010, to associate head coach Alan Huss, previously named the coach in waiting. “Obviously, there’s a little emotion involved,” McDermott said during the postgame news conference in response to my question about what the last few weeks have been like. “Last practice in the facility back home and all that. But like I told the guys when we decided to do this, ‘We’re going to have fun with this.’ We did a lot of workouts, we had a few practices, we wanted them to enjoy this experience. We’re gonna be around for the weekend now — at least for a couple more days — so we’re going to have fun together.” And they certainly had fun after halftime on Thursday night, exploding for 51 second-half points and shooting a sizzling 61.5% from the floor. Everything, it seemed, ran through the hands of point guard Nik Graves, who poured in a season-high 28 points and also dished out eight assists. Graves had 25 of those points in the second half, which underscores just how much of an influence he had down the stretch, repeatedly irritating Rutgers’ defenders with pump fakes that drew fouls. Now, the Bluejays have an opportunity to win back-to-back games for the first time since late December — and perhaps send McDermott out with a championship. [CBB CROWN: 4 Takeaways From Day 1] 2. Talented freshman class gives Steve Pikiell a strong foundation at Rutgers Unlike the two freshman phenoms who were clearly one-and-done prospects from the moment they stepped foot on Rutgers’ campus last season — guard Dylan Harper and forward Ace Bailey, the Nos. 2 and 5 picks in the 2025 NBA Draft — the Scarlet Knights have a collection of rookies that should develop quite nicely in the years to come. The backcourt trio of Harun Zrno (6.6 points per game), Lino Mark (5.6 points per game) and Kaden Powers (6.1 points per game) all made at least 28 appearances this year and averaged at least 15.7 minutes of playing time per outing. Together, they should enter next season as one of the more promising young cores in the Big Ten — assuming head coach Steve Pikiell can keep them together once the transfer portal opens next week. “We have a new administration and a new president, and our resources have changed,” Pikiell said during the postgame news conference in response to my question about keeping his roster together. “I’m looking forward to a lot of these guys returning. We’re going to add some pieces for sure, going in the portal. But I think it was a valuable experience this year for those guys that logged a lot of minutes. They got better as the year went on with everything. I’m very hopeful in this new era that good things are going to happen for us and we’ll be able to compete in the market.” Though the Scarlet Knights were ultimately upended by Creighton on Thursday night, running out of gas in the second half after leading by as many as 10 in the early stages, the freshmen offered yet another glimpse of their collective potential. Mark chipped in 14 points and seven rebounds, pacing the offense at times with his speed and explosiveness in the open court. Powers scored six points and snagged three rebounds, flashing a comfortable mid-range pull-up that followed a quick first step. Zrno, who did not play until the second half, scored three points in limited action. The biggest challenge facing Pikiell and his staff between now and the end of the month could be keeping those three players from entering the transfer portal. Rutgers will need them to avoid a fourth consecutive losing season next winter. 3. Ebuka Okorie needs more help if he returns to Stanford There were so many possessions on Thursday night when Stanford point guard Ebuka Okorie, the ACC’s leading scorer at 22.8 points per game, searched and probed and hunted for openings on the offensive end. He maneuvered around screens at the top of the key, gave the ball up just to get it back seconds later and worked tirelessly off the ball to create separation from whichever West Virginia defender was hounding him on that particular possession. In some respects, nothing about the nature of Okorie’s effort was unusual. He arrived at the College Basketball Crown as Stanford’s only healthy player averaging more than 11.1 points per game and owned the 13th-highest usage rate in the country among freshmen this season, according to Torvik. His collegiate résumé already included seven 30-point games and first-team All-ACC honors for a program that finished 20-12 overall and 9-9 in the conference. In the 82-77 overtime loss to West Virginia, he scored a game-high 34 points and dished out five assists on a night when no other teammate topped 12 points. “Ebuka is an incredible player,” West Virginia head coach Ross Hodge told me after the game. “He’s everything we thought he was going to be. We did everything we could to keep the ball out of his hands, and he still had 34 points.” Whether Okorie will return to Stanford for another year has been a popular topic of conversation in college basketball circles. He could choose to enter the NBA Draft, where he projects as a second-round pick given his relatively slender frame (6-foot-2, 185 pounds). He could choose to explore his options in the transfer portal, where other power-conference schools would certainly throw seven-figure offers Okorie’s way. But a source close to the Cardinal believes Okorie will either remain at Stanford or turn pro. Should head coach Kyle Smith and his staff be fortunate enough to retain Okorie, they’ll need to surround the budding star with more scoring punch than what Stanford had this season. A high school recruiting class that ranks No. 16 nationally represents an excellent start. The Cardinal have already signed four players rated among the top 165 nationally, according to 247Sports, including four-star forward Aziz Olajuwon, the No. 62 overall prospect. Olajuwon chose Stanford over Houston, Vanderbilt and Cincinnati, among others. 4. The future of West Virginia’s program hasn’t arrived yet One of the biggest statistical disparities between West Virginia and Stanford entering Thursday’s game came in a category most fans wouldn’t typically consider: maturity. The Mountaineers were the second-oldest team in college basketball this season, according to KenPom, with 2.86 years of Division I experience per player. The Cardinal rank just 268th in that same category with only 1.07 years of Division I experience per player. For first-year head coach Ross Hodge, formerly of North Texas, the group he brought to Las Vegas this week included six seniors and one fifth-year senior — meaning there will be significant roster churn for the Mountaineers in the coming weeks, especially once the transfer portal opens on April 7. The team that Hodge puts on the floor next fall is going to look markedly different than the one that finished the regular season 18-13 overall and 9-9 in the Big 12, unable to win consecutive games after Jan. 21. Regardless of what Hodge accomplishes in the transfer portal, the player to watch is incoming freshman point guard Miles Sadler, a five-star prospect and the No. 23 overall player in the 2026 recruiting cycle. Sadler committed to the Mountaineers over Tennessee and Oklahoma, among others, and instantly became the highest-rated signee in program history, according to 247Sports. If Sadler lives up to expectations, then Hodge will have an elite floor general to build around as West Virginia chases its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2023 and first March Madness victory since 2021. “When we put this team together,” Hodge told me after the game, “when we started hitting the portal, we wanted to recruit guys that had been part of winning and loved basketball and loved each other. If that’s kind of your makeup, and you really love basketball and you love being around other people, then you have an ability to stay together through really tough times. This group has embodied that and really set a standard for future teams in the program.” 4½. What’s next? Here are a few storylines to watch ahead of the semifinals: Oklahoma vs. Baylor (Saturday) — One did it the easy way, one did it the hard way. Oklahoma trailed an undermanned Colorado team by double digits early and needed overtime to finally dispose of the upset-minded Buffaloes, leaning on a strong defensive effort to reach the semifinals. Baylor, meanwhile, coasted through its quarterfinal game against Minnesota thanks to balanced scoring from each member of the Bears’ leading trio: Tounde Yessoufou (19 points), Obi Agbim (17 points) and Cameron Carr (15 points). West Virginia vs. Creighton (Saturday) — Over the course of McDermott’s highly successful tenure at Creighton, his teams have ranked among the top 35 in offensive efficiency 10 times. And while this year’s group hasn’t quite reached that threshold — the Bluejays entered The Crown ranked 73rd nationally — nobody would dare question the program’s prowess at that end of the court. Such a pedigree sets the stage for a fascinating semifinal clash with West Virginia, whose defense ranks 17th in overall efficiency after beating Stanford on Thursday night.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Ready for the biggest edition of soccer’s marquee event? With 48 teams spread across three countries, this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup is going to be epic. [2026 FIFA WORLD CUP: Full Game-by-Game Schedule] The field is set, and all 12 four-team groups are locked in. But which teams will be the serious tournament contenders? Who’ll punch above their weight? The first-timers? And what about co-hosts USA, Mexico and Canada? We’re diving into the World Cup field by placing all the teams into distinct tiers and breaking down why you should keep an eye on them. JUMP TO: Co-Hosts | Sleeper Picks | Capable of Deep Run | Get Into Knockouts | Could Make It Interesting | Early Exit? | Debut Teams! ARGENTINA World Cup Odds: +850World Cup Group Stage Opponents: The defending World Cup champs want to become the first country to win consecutive titles since Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962. Can La Albiceleste do it? Well, they have the same manager in Lionel Scaloni, and you can never count out a team that’s led by legendary forward Lionel Messi (who will turn 39 during the tournament). This is a deep, experienced group brimming with talent that knows how to win major tournaments (and also won back-to-back Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024). BRAZIL World Cup Odds: +850World Cup Group Stage Opponents: The last two times Brazil went to a World Cup held in North America, it left with the trophy in hand. Yet the most successful country in World Cup history has now gone almost a quarter-century without adding a sixth star to its iconic yellow jerseys; the Seleção last sat at the summit of the planet’s most popular sport way back in 2022. This current 24-year drought matches the longest Brazil has ever gone without hoisting a World Cup. In other words, it’s due. Brazil always has enough talent to win it all. Now it also has legendary Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti at the helm; the former Real Madrid boss is expected to provide a structure for 25-year-old forward Vinícius Jr. & Co. that helps their gifts shine bright on the biggest stage. If that happens, Brazil will be a tough out for any opponent this summer. ENGLAND World Cup Odds: +600World Cup Group Stage Opponents: England is still looking for its first World Cup title since 1966. It seems to have the right kind of talent, depth and experience to make a run this summer. And now the Three Lions also have a Champions League-winning manager in Thomas Tuchel to guide them. The stars will be out with players like captain striker Harry Kane, the attacking Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and his versatility, and the well-rounded Cole Palmer on the pitch, all of whom are tired of always coming up short in major tournaments. England was drawn into a tricky Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama, so we’ll get an early look at what this squad is made of. FRANCE World Cup Odds: +600World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Les Bleus won the World Cup in 2018 and lost the 2022 final – on penalties – to Lionel Messi and Argentina. What can France do for an encore this summer? With Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and fellow star forward Kylian Mbappé (who was a breakout star in the 2018 title run) leading manager Didier Deschamps’ attack, no wonder France is among the bookies’ favorites to win the tournament outright this summer, alongside European rivals England and Spain. PORTUGAL World Cup Odds: +1100World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Portugal has never won a World Cup, much less reached a World Cup final. Could this be the year? There was so much drama around the team four years ago when former manager Fernando Santos benched superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in Qatar. Now the team is coached by Spaniard Roberto Martinez, who led it to the 2024 Euro quarterfinal and 2025 Nations League championship, where his side defeated Spain in a penalty shootout. His relationship with the 41-year-old Ronaldo could dictate how things go for Portugal this summer. SPAIN World Cup Odds: +450World Cup Group Stage Opponents: The reigning European champions are striving to win their first World Cup since 2010 and just second overall in the nation’s history. Four years ago, La Roja were knocked out in the round of 16 by Cinderella squad Morocco. This time they’ll be a tougher out with all the young attacking talent that litters this roster from wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams to Pedri (midfielder) and more. This is a group that will keep getting better as these players get older, but they want to win now. CANADA World Cup Odds: +20000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Four years ago, the Reds snapped a three decade-plus World Cup drought by topping Concacaf’s qualifying tournament and returning to the Greatest Show on Earth for the first time since 1986. And Canada played well in Qatar despite losing all three of its games, including defeats against eventual 2022 semifinalists Croatia and Morocco. Now, it’s hosting World Cup games on the men’s side for the first time, and the pressure to perform is different. Led by American coach Jesse Marsch, Canada will be looking not just to win a World Cup game for the first time but to advance to the knockout stage. And it has the players to do it, too, with captain Alphonso Davies and Juventus striker Jonathan David leading the way. MEXICO World Cup Odds: +7000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Four years ago, Mexico failed to make it out of its group. To have the same result this time around on home soil would be disastrous, especially given their favorable draw. The reigning Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup champions have had a recent rash of injuries that has allowed even keeper Guillermo Ochoa to return to the squad for recent friendlies – but could he make an unprecedented sixth World Cup? Plenty of buzz around young midfielders Gilerto Mora and Obed Vargas, but this squad will rely on veterans such as star striker Raul Jimenez and captain Edson Alvarez (who is also battling an injury). USA World Cup Odds: +6500World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Playing at a World Cup on home soil for the first time since 1994, the United States is hoping for a deep run this summer under highly regarded Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino. The Americans’ best World Cup showing since the inaugural 1930 event – where the U.S. finished fourth – was a quarterfinal trip in 2002. With the 2026 edition expanded to 48 nations, just equaling that feat would require winning an extra knockout stage match. That’s no easy feat. Still, this U.S. squad is widely considered the most talented ever, with legitimate European club stars such as AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic and Juventus’ Weston McKennie. The core that gained invaluable experience at Qatar 2022 is just now hitting its prime. But losses in March to Belgium and Portugal have tempered expectations, and Pulisic has been caught in a scoring drought for both club and country. His last goal for AC Milan came on Dec. 28, 2025, while his last goal for the Stars and Stripes was in November 2024. COLOMBIA World Cup Odds: +4000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: So what if Los Cafeteros didn’t even go to the last World Cup in Qatar? Four years later, Colombia could be one of the biggest sleepers to make some serious noise this summer. Behind Bayern Munich playmaker Luis Diaz, the Colombians finished South America’s World Cup qualifying tournament in third place, behind only Ecuador and defending world champions Argentina and ahead of five-time winner Brazil. Los Cafeteros should get solid support for their first two group games, which take place in Mexico. Meantime, the first round finale in Miami, where they’ll meet Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, could feel like a home game given the huge ex-pat community in South Florida and Colombian fans’ willingness to travel in droves. ECUADOR World Cup Odds: +8000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Despite beating host Qatar and tying the two-time runner-up Netherlands in its first two games in 2022, Ecuador failed to advance when it dropped its decisive group phase contest to Senegal. La Tri could be poised for a deep run this summer, though, having finished second in South America’s qualifying tournament ahead of Brazil and behind only defending World Cup champs Argentina. Moises Caicedo, who plays at Chelsea, is one of the world’s best defensive midfielders. The game against Germany in the group finale is likely for who’ll finish on top. MOROCCO World Cup Odds: +6000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: The Cinderella team of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Morocco was nearly everyone’s favorite story from four years ago, when it became the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semifinal before losing to France. The Atlas Lions lost to Senegal in a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final in January (only to be subsequently rewarded the title) and will be motivated to prove themselves this summer that the semifinals run in 2022 was no fluke. They have a new manager after Walid Regragui abruptly left the team but were able to promote Mohamed Ouahbi, who led Morocco’s U-20 team to a Youth World Cup title in 2025, as the successor. Morocco was drawn into Group C alongside Brazil, Haiti and Scotland, which will make for some early intrigue. PSG’s superstar right-back Achraf Hakimi should once again shine in the summer. NORWAY World Cup Odds: +2800World Cup Stage Opponents: Norway’s World Cup return was a long time coming. It was also inevitable. Led by Premier League standouts Erling Haaland of Manchester City and captain Martin Ødegaard of Arsenal, it’s headed back to the planet’s biggest sporting event for the first time since 1998. Haaland is only 25, and already has 55 goals in 48 games for his country. No player in international soccer history surpassed the half-century mark in fewer matches it took the 6-foot-5 striker. In what could be the toughest group at the tournament, Norway has the talent to make some noise. BELGIUM World Cup Odds: +3500World Cup Group Stage Opponents: The Red Devils’ golden generation hasn’t quite lived up to the hype, having failed to advance from group play in 2022 following deep runs in both 2014 and 2018, when they finished third after narrowly losing their semifinal to eventual champ France. Now in their 30s, midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and striker Romelu Lukaku have one more chance on the biggest stage this summer, with a capable supporting cast led by electric Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku. CROATIA World Cup Odds: +9000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: It’s quite magical what Croatia, with a population fewer than four million people, has been able to do in the World Cup. In recent history, this nation was the runner-up at the 2018 World Cup and finished in third place at the 2022 World Cup. You can never count this side out of a major tournament, especially given the squad’s experience level and the fact that it’s led by superstar Luka Modrić. Plus, it has arguably the most magnificent kits in all of football. GERMANY World Cup Odds: +1400World Cup Group Stage Opponents: The four-time World Cup champions are always capable of making a deep run, if not winning it all. But Die Mannschaft has plenty to prove this summer under coach Julian Nagelsmann; since hoisting the trophy in Brazil in 2014, Germany has not advanced out of group play. Florian Wirtz (midfielder) helped Bayer Leverkusen go undefeated en route to winning the German title two seasons ago before being named Bundesliga Player of the Year in 2025 and then making a big move to Liverpool. In March, the 22-year-old Wirtz scored his 10th goal in just 39 games for his country. NETHERLANDS World Cup Odds: +2000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Probably the best soccer-loving nation never to have won a World Cup and the fans are hungry for a trophy. Just look at recent major tournaments like the men’s and women’s Euros and how the fans litter the streets in bright orange. The Dutch have plenty of individual talent to make some noise, from former Lyon star Memphis Depay (striker) to Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong to Liverpool duo Cody Gakpo (winger) and defender Virgil van Dijk. Four years ago, the Oranje took eventual champion Argentina to a thrilling penalty shootout in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal. The game itself was dramatic, with 18 yellow cards and one yellow. How far can this group go in 2026? Manager Ronald Koeman has a physical squad, fast wingers and a ton of players with big-game experience. The Dutch will need to get off on the right foot as its first game is against a capable Japan squad. TÜRKIYE World Cup Odds: +6500World Cup Group Stage Opponents: The last time the Turks qualified for a World Cup, they went all the way to the semifinals in Korea/Japan in 2002 before losing to eventual champ Brazil by a single goal. With players littered across Europe’s top leagues (including Juventus’ attacking midfielder Kenan Yıldız and Real Madrid’s Arda Güler), they’re more than capable of making another deep run this summer and are now probably the favorites to win a group that includes Australia, Paraguay and the tournament co-hosts United States. URUGUAY World Cup Odds: +6500World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Who won the first World Cup in 1930? It’s a solid trivia question. And the answer, which often stumps people, is Uruguay. And not only did it win that inaugural tournament, but it hosted as well. This is a country with a rich footballing tradition, though it hasn’t been back to the top since winning a second time in 1950. It didn’t make it out of the group in 2022 – facing Portugal, South Korea and Ghana – and is anxious to make a push this summer. It will be tough, though, as it will face tournament favorite Spain and Saudi Arabia in the group. Luckily, it has players like Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo and Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde. AUSTRIA World Cup Odds: +10000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: This will be Austria’s first World Cup appearance since 1998. It’s a team that likes to attack and has a strong core of veterans on the team, like Real Madrid defender David Alaba and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer. It’s coached by Ralf Rangnick, who has had an extensive coaching career in Germany. Before taking over the Austrian national team, though, he was the interim manager of Manchester United from 2021-22. In the Euros two years ago, Austria shocked the Netherlands in the group stage to advance to the knockout round (where it ultimately lost to Türkiye). Does it have another upset brewing for this summer? EGYPT World Cup Odds: +30000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Africa’s oldest and most successful national team went 28 years between World Cups before returning in 2018, only to miss out again four years later. Now they’re back again, and the goal is clear: Get out of group play for the first time in their long and decorated history. It may be the last time we see Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah on this big of a stage as well. SOUTH KOREA World Cup Odds: +35000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: South Korea has qualified for 11 straight World Cups, not missing one since 1986. Its best finish came in 2002 when, as tournament co-hosts, the Tigers of Asia reached the semifinals but lost to Germany, 1-0. Four years ago, the squad advanced to the round of 16 where it was ousted by Brazil. How far can South Korea go this summer? It’s fair to expect to make it out of Group A, where it’ll play co-host Mexico, South Africa and a European playoff team. Plus, it has a talented squad which features captain winger Son Heung-min, who stars for LAFC, as well as European-based stars like midfielder Lee Kang-in (PSG), defender Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) and winger Lee Jae-sung (Mainz 05). JAPAN World Cup Odds: +5000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Japan has played in every World Cup since its debut in 1998, but it has never made it past the round of 16. Could this be the year? It was close four years ago, beating Germany and Spain in the Group of Death and taking Croatia to a penalty shootout in the round of 16. This is a team that historically plays quickly, likes to press and is dangerous in transition. The best part about the Samurai Blue, though, is probably their fans, who went viral and were admired around the world at the last World Cup for cleaning up stadiums after matches. SCOTLAND World Cup Odds: +20000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Once a regular World Cup qualifier, the Tartan Army will soon be back on the big stage for the first time since 1998. The Scots didn’t even need a playoff to get there. In November, Scott McTominay (striker) & Co. beat former European champs Denmark in Glasgow to win a group that also included Euro 2004 winners Greece. The 6-foot-3 McTominay, a former Manchester United alum, led Napoli to the Italian title last season, earning a Ballon d’Or nomination along the way. It was his spectacular bicycle kick that opened the scoring in Scotland’s World Cup qualifying clincher over Denmark. SENEGAL World Cup Odds: +10000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Participating in their third World Cup in a row this summer, the former quarterfinalists and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations winners were eliminated by England in the round of 16 in Qatar. Known as the Lions of Teranga, Senegal famously upset then-World Cup holders France in its debut appearance in 2002. Can history repeat itself this summer, when it once again faces Les Bleus in its opening match? Sadio Mané (winger) is one of this generation’s best attackers, and the ex-Liverpool and Bayern Munich star could make some magic. PARAGUAY World Cup Odds: +20000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: There’s no question that La Albirroja’s golden age was between 1998 and 2010, when they reached four consecutive tournaments, culminating in a quarterfinal appearance in South Africa. Now Paraguay is back at the World Cup for the first time since, having failed to make the last three editions. MIdfielder Miguel Almirón is familiar to fans on three continents, having moved from Cerro Porteño in Asunción to Argentine club Lanús to MLS side Atlanta United to Premier League mainstay Newcastle before a return back to Atlanta. This team is the USA’s opening match, so expect the South Americans to try and spoil the co-hosts’ party. SWITZERLAND World Cup Odds: +10000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Switzerland is as dependable as the watches produced in the country – this team is headed to its sixth consecutive World Cup. It has reached the round of 16 in each of the last three editions. Led by Premier League veterans Manuel Akanji (defender) and captain Granit Xhaka (midfielder), the Swiss will try to make at least the quarterfinals this summer – something they haven’t managed since 1954. ALGERIA World Cup Odds: +35000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: This is Algeria’s first trip to the World Cup since 2014, when they historically reached the round of 16. They were able to book their ticket to this summer’s tournament by finishing atop their group in African qualifying. At the World Cup, they were alongside defending World Cup champion Argentina, as well as Austria and Jordan. While Argentina will certainly win the group – Algeria will face La Albiceleste in its first match on June 16 in Kansas City – the second spot could be up for grabs. Former Manchester City and Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez will be a catalyst for this squad. AUSTRALIA World Cup Odds: +45000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: The Socceroos gave Lionel Messi and eventual champs Argentina a scare in the round of 16 in Qatar before losing, 2-1, and the 2026 event marks their sixth straight World Cup trip. Organized and physical under coach Tony Popovic, they’ll be a tough out for the co-host United States, which they’ll face in Seattle in their second group stage match. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA World Cup Odds: +25000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: What’s the biggest story of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s incredible run into the World Cup? Defeating Italy in the World Cup playoff final to ensure the four-time champions would miss a third straight tournament? Seeing talisman striker Edin Džeko, now 41, help his country reach the biggest stage? Or witnessing American-born Esmir Bajraktarević (aka, the “Milwaukee Messi”) coolly take the decisive penalty in the win over Italy? Prepare for this squad to capture neutrals’ hearts and attention – especially in the opening match against co-hosts Canada. CZECHIA World Cup Odds: +15000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: It’s a return to the World Cup for the first time since 2006 for Czechia, when the country was known as the Czech Republic. Czechia booked its ticket to the 2026 World Cup after outlasting Denmark, 3-1, on penalty kicks in the UEFA following a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes. The squad will be led by towering Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick, but it will need plenty more help in a group that includes co-hosts Mexico. DR CONGO World Cup Odds: +70000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Simply put, this team wasn’t supposed to make it. With traditional African powers Nigeria and Cameroon standing between the Democratic Republic of Congo and its first World Cup appearance since 1974 (when known as Zaire), next to nobody gave it a chance. But that message didn’t get to the Leopards, who promptly shocked both to reach the intercontinental playoffs and then beat Jamaica to book their spot in the main event. Veteran Premier League right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka (now at West Ham after a stint at Manchester United) headlines a list of players with plenty of European experience. GHANA World Cup Odds: +35000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Ghana has qualified for four of the last five World Cups, with its best finish coming in 2010 when it reached the quarterfinals. The Black Stars booked their spot for 2026 by finishing at the top of their qualifying group with eight wins, one draw and one loss. Unfortunately, they were drawn into a tougher group with favorites England and Croatia, and Panama always good for an upset. Getting out of this group is going to be a challenge, but they can lean on veteran experience from the attacking Mohammed Kudus. IVORY COAST World Cup Odds: +25000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: The days of Didier Drogba (the all-time Ivory Coast top scorer who retired in 2018) are long gone, but that won’t deter the new generation of these Elephants. The team debuted on the world stage in 2006 and then qualified for each of the next two tournaments before missing the last two editions. Now, it’s back with realistic ambitions of advancing for the first time in their history, despite occupying a group with Ecuador and four-time winners Germany: In March, it thumped World Cup-bound South Korea 4-0, which should give the team momentum in the summer. SWEDEN World Cup Odds: +8000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: How about getting to the World Cup without actually winning a game during the initial qualifying campaign? Sweden finished last in its qualifying group but made the playoff round because of its UEFA Nations League performance. Leading the way is a pair of top strikers in Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres, with the latter scoring four goals in March’s playoff games. The Swedes have turned the corner under Graham Potter, the former Chelsea and Brighton manager who previously spent seven years coaching in Sweden. HAITI World Cup Odds: +150000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: One of the great stories of World Cup qualifying, the Haitians will return to the global stage this summer for the second time ever and first since 1974. Les Grenadiers punched their ticket to the competition despite not playing a single match at home because of security worries. Defensively stout, they still won a qualifying group that contained recent World Cup participants Costa Rica and Honduras. But the task will be way bigger this summer with those group-stage teams. IRAN World Cup Odds: +30000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Team Melli won’t be a pushover as this team has participated in five of the last seven World Cups. While it’s never yet made it to the knockout rounds, it beat Gareth Bale-led Wales in Qatar before narrowly losing to the U.S. in both teams’ first round finale. Star striker and captain Mehdi Taremi will be the focal point for the team. IRAQ World Cup Odds: +100000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: The final team to actually book a spot for the World Cup by winning the second intercontinental playoff. It’s the second World Cup appearance for the squad (after its 1986 debut), but with a group that includes three very stout sides, it may be a short tournament for the Lions of Mesopotamia. NEW ZEALAND World Cup Odds: +100000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: The team is back on the big stage for the first time since 2010, when it had the interesting distinction of going undefeated with three ties, including one against then-defending champions Italy. New Zealand clinched its spot more than a year ago by topping New Caledonia, 3-0, in Auckland. But things could get ugly at the main event; it went on an 0-7-1 run before finally beating Chile in March. TUNISIA World Cup Odds: +50000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: This will be Tunisia’s seventh World Cup appearance, and one it hopes will be its best. You see, the Eagles of Carthage have never made it out of the group in all those tournaments. That’s probably going to be a tough assignment this summer in Group F, given they’re joined by the Netherlands and Japan, who are expected to advance. Even so, Tunisia has some fun World Cup history, like the fact that it was the first African nation ever to win a World Cup match in 1978 when it beat Mexico, 3-1. PANAMA World Cup Odds: +100000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: This will only be Panama’s second trip to the World Cup. The squad had a strong qualifying campaign, which was aided by the fact that it didn’t have to play the United States, Canada or Mexico, all of whom automatically qualified for the tournament as co-hosts. This will be a tough group, but the Panamanians can stun their opponents when everything is clicking. Just ask the U.S. men’s national team, which lost to Panama at the 2024 Copa América and in the 2025 Concacaf Nations League semifinals. SAUDI ARABIA World Cup Odds: +100000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Saudi Arabia has qualified for the last seven of nine World Cups. Perhaps its most notable tournament was four years ago in Qatar, when the squad shocked eventual champion Argentina in the group stage with a 2-1 victory. The Arabian Falcons then proceeded to lose to both Poland and Mexico and finished at the bottom of their group. They’re led by French manager Herve Renard, who has plenty of international experience, including coaching the squad in 2022 before taking the French women’s national team to the 2023 World Cup. He no doubt will want to help the team go further than it did last time, and maybe that’s possible in a group with Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde. SOUTH AFRICA World Cup Odds: +80000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: South Africa gets the honor of opening the World Cup when it faces co-host Mexico in the first match of the tournament on June 11 at Mexico City Stadium. Known as Bafana Bafana, South Africa has only played in four World Cups but hasn’t competed in one since hosting in 2010. It’s never made it out of the group stage, and that might be tough this time around with Mexico and South Korea in its group. QATAR World Cup Odds: +100000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: The 2022 World Cup was the tiny gulf state’s first World Cup, which they qualified for automatically as hosts. This time, the Maroons did it on the field. After losing all three games on home soil, Qatar – now led by former West Ham, Spain and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui – is aiming for its first point on the biggest stage. CURAÇAO World Cup Odds: +150000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: How can neutrals not love the Blue Wave’s Cinderella story? In November, the Dutch territory became the smallest nation by both population (155,000) and geographic area to ever qualify for a World Cup. Just being there is a triumph for Curaçao, though the games could get ugly: Ecuador and four-time world champs Germany loom in the first round, and Dick Advocaat (who managed the Netherlands at USA ’94) resigned as coach in March to care for his ill daughter. CAPE VERDE World Cup Odds: +100000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: We love a World Cup first timer! Cabo Verde will make its very first World Cup appearance this summer, and what better way to welcome it to the global stage than by playing tournament favorite Spain in the first match? While that game on June 15 at Atlanta Stadium might end up being quite lopsided, it’s remarkable that this nation of just more than 500,000 people qualified for the World Cup in the first place. While it may not make it out of the group, it has the kind of resilience, spirit and passion that we love to see in this tournament. JORDAN World Cup Odds: +150000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Jordan will be making its World Cup debut. While it’s never been to the big dance before, it nearly qualified for the 2014 tournament by making it to the intercontinental playoffs. It didn’t work out then, but the team was rewarded for making the expanded 48-team field this time around by being drawn into a group with Argentina. UZBEKISTAN World Cup Odds: +150000World Cup Group Stage Opponents: Another World Cup debutant! Uzbekistan may be a team largely unknown to the world at this point, but it’s coached by Favio Cannavaro, who is known to be one of the greatest defenders of all time. Cannavaro captained Italy to the World Cup in 2006, so he knows what this team is getting itself into this summer. He’s had a vast coaching career up to this point and only took over the national team in October, so we’ll see how the squad gels under him with less than a year together. 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Is Lionel Messi still the best soccer player in the world at 38 years old? It’s debatable. However, what is undeniable is that Messi will be one of the focal points of the 2026 FIFA World Cup should he choose to participate in a record-setting sixth World Cup, which is why the “First Things First” crew ranked Messi the No. 1 player in their top 26 players that could define the 2026 World Cup. But what does the rest of the list look like? Let’s dive in with Nick Wright, Chris Broussard and Kevin Wildes: Wright: A sixth World Cup that would be the most ever, tied with Cristiano Ronaldo. He already has the World Cup record for games and minutes. He’s already the only person to ever score goals in the World Cup as a teenager, in his 20s and in his 30s. He already has multiple Golden Ball awards for most goals in the World Cup and, in the last World Cup, he scored in every. Single. Round. Argentina, as I mentioned earlier, is trying to become just the second country ever, joining Italy in the 30’s and Brazil with Pele to win consecutive World Cups. Argentina winning this would put Messi in Gretzky territory as far as GOAT conversation. Uncatchable. I don’t know if they could do it, but no one thought he would be playing in this World Cup and he’s going to. Broussard: Can he go down as the best ever without winning the World Cup? That’s what we want to know. I think probably not, but can he lead Portugal on a great run and get to the final and win it? He locks it up if that happens. Wildes: He’s 18, he debuted at 15. If anyone’s star is going to go to the stratosphere, I think it’s Yamal. I think he’s an electric player. He’s dynamic the way he crosses through. He has one sort of signature move that everyone knows is coming and can’t stop it. He was runner-up to Dembele for the Ballon D’Or, but to see a teenager assert himself as the best player in the world would just be fascinating if he could pull it off with Spain. Broussard: I told you guys I picked France to win it all. He is the main reason why. Now, if they do win this, is he already the best ever? I think he’s playing that well. He’s become a legend. He’s only 27. Can he become the second player ever to appear in three straight World Cup finals? That would be and that’s what I’m talking about, maybe the best that we’ve ever seen. Kylian Mbappe. It gets no better than him. Wright: The single most intimidating force in professional soccer. Norway might not make it out of the group stage. They’re in the same group as France and Senegal Just making it into the knockout round is an accomplishment for this country which only four times, has even qualified for the World Cup. Only twice made it to the knockout round. What you know is if Norway’s playing, he’s scoring. In their eight World Cup qualifiers this year, he scored 16 goals. He averages more than a goal a game for his International Career. But again, this is not a country with a rich soccer history. If they go on a deep run, he will be in the running for the Golden Boot, which is the most goals scored in the tournament. Even if they only make it to the quarterfinals, it might take 10 goals for him. Broussard: Well, look, he may be the greatest American soccer player of all time. Certainly, most people aren’t thinking we have a chance to win it. Obviously if he can lead us to that he probably definitely goes down with that title. He’s already got 30 career goals for USA. That’s in the top five for our nation. He’s only 27 years old. And the good thing is, he’s been productive in big games on the big stage. 2022 World Cup, 2024 Copa America, he’s got 2 goals, 3 assists. I think this guy is going to play well. It’s just a matter of how well. Can he lead us to a surprisingly high finish? Wildes: He’s the face of Brazilian soccer. The 25-year old forward for Real Madrid. In my lifetime, it has gone from Ronaldo to Ronaldinho to Neymar, to this young man as the face of, in my humble opinion, the most beautiful style of soccer for the greatest soccer country in world history, Brazil. With that said, they’ve only made it past the quarters once since their last win in 2002. I believe he should have won the Ballon D’Or in 2024. They are really going to need his scoring. As loaded as Brazill is, Rodrygo, his fellow forward, is out with a torn ACL. They’re going to need my guy Raphina to be great. He’s going to have to be great if Brazil is finally going to get back where they belong. Wildes: England’s all-time leading goal-scorer. Eight goals in the World Cup. Missed a penalty in 2022. It wasn’t great. England goes home. He’s 32. Had a renaissance at Bayern. This would obviously be the crowning achievement of his career. I loved him at Tottenham, he was playing with Son. I’m rooting for Harry Kane. I think its one of the best stories, I know people like to root against England, it would be great for Harry Kane to win one time. Broussard: Last time we saw him in the World Cup. Tough outing for him. He had the penalty against Argentina, the foul led to their penalty kick and opened the scoring for them. Then got substituted for in the first half. That game went down as one of the best ever. But since then? He has been on a tear. You mentioned the Ballon D’Or, he’s the reigning winner of the Ballon D’Or award. He’s an amazing player and will he continue his rise? Because he’s on a historic run and if he caps it off with a World Cup win this surge will go down as one of the best we’ve seen. Wright: He’s the oldest player on our list by a mile, he’s 40-years old. And because of his playing style, which relies so little on athleticism, it feels like he could play forever. He also has been the reason that Croatia has been one of the biggest stories of each of the last two World Cups. There are only two teams to make back-to-back World Cup semifinals in each of the last two. France, a perennial favorite and Croatia, led by Luka Modric. He’s teammates with Christian Pulisic on the club side and here is my favorite stat from our entire list: From 2008 to 2021 the 14 Ballon D’Or Trophies that were given out. One didn’t go to Messi or Ronaldo. 2018: It went to this man, Luka Modric. He’s an all-time legend, see if he can get Croatia on its third consecutive deep run in this tournament. Wright: Quite simply, I think, certainly arguably, maybe in-arguably, the greatest center back in the world of this century. He’s 34 years old, he plays for Liverpool. Also, the last World Cup for his country, the Netherlands, ended in utter heartbreak. They played Argentina, obviously the eventual champs. They’re down 2 late, they get it even, they get to penalties, they lose on penalties, including a missed penalty by Virgil Van Djik. His country Netherlands is one of six countries to ever play in three World Cup finals. They are the only one of those six to never win a World Cup. If they’re finally going to do it, he’ll be the player of the tournament. Broussard: He’s one of the most beloved players in the world because he grew the game in Asia in a way that goals and assists can’t measure. He’s one of the greatest Asian players ever, if not, the greatest. 10-time Best Footballer in Asia award-winner. 10-times.  He’s lost some of his top-end speed but still can be dynamic on the counter-attack which has always been one of his signature traits. He also played 4 ½ years for Mauricio Pochettino, the Team USA coach, they won a championship back in 2019 together so that’s a storyline to look at as well. Wildes: Torn loyalties here for me because Germany is in Group E with Curacao, my squad. He had some setbacks with his ankle. Seems to be OK. Playing for Bayern. Electric player, great ball control. Germany, looking for their fifth World Cup, open up with Curacao in Houston, June 14. Wright: Last World Cup, as a teenager, he started every World Cup match for England, but now he’s a team leader and some believe he’s the best player on the team. He scored one of the best goals of the decade in the 2024 Euros against Slovakia. If England is finally going to break through, this young man, who finished third in Ballon d’Or voting in 2024, is going to have to be brilliant. Broussard: He’s going to have to be huge for Senegal. He’s 34 years old, he’s kind of past his prime, but he’s one of the best African players of all time, and in 2025, he was the AFCON Player of the Tournament. He still has a lot left and we’ll see if he can turn back the clock and lead Senegal to another great run. Wildes: A friend of the show and anchor of the United States’ defense. He talks a little bit of trash. He had some choice words for Paraguay when we got into it in a friendly. He grew up in Alabama and ended our interview with “Roll Tide.” 2025 U.S. Men’s Player of the Year. I think his star is going to shine brightly. Wright: I watched him in person, in Milan, score and assist on a goal in their first game as the defending Serie A champions. He’s an electric player for what flatly is a historically great Argentina squad. They won the Copa in ‘21 and ’24, and in the middle of that, they won the World Cup. In that 2024 Copa run, he scored five goals as Argentina went on a historic run of international dominance. Broussard: I love this guy. He’s making his World Cup debut. He is one of the most exciting and entertaining players in the world and might have the fastest feet in the world when he has the ball. He tries the audacious moves and plays during the game — you’re almost shocked that he tries them, but then he actually completes a lot of them. I can’t wait to see what this guy does in his first time on the big stage. Wildes: Is he the best player in the world? Some people say yes. He reminds me a little bit of Kyrie Irving the way that he handles the ball. It’s classic Spanish possession football. Spain, of course, is always a powerhouse but hasn’t made it past the Round of 16 in the last three World Cups. Wright: 27-year-old defender for PSG. Fresh off of carrying Morocco to the semis of the 2022 World Cup. He’s the reigning African Player of the Year. His defense was the story of their run in 2022. In the five games before their semifinal loss, they allowed one total goal. However, despite being a defender, he is a legitimate goal-scoring threat. Broussard: This guy lives under a microscope as the captain of Manchester United. He’s one of the great leaders in the post. He’s really passionate and it comes out. Everyone will love him because of that. But can he get Portugal a World Cup win? That’s what this is all about. He’s creative, his passing range is limitless, he covers all types of ground on the field. It’s almost like having two guys in one body. He’s fun to watch. Wildes: Born in Brooklyn, “First Things First” mainstay when he went on that scoring tear in the Champions League, five goals in 10 games. At the Copa America, he had two goals in three games. We’re going to have a lot of eyes on Pulisic as our goalscorer, but Balogun can put the ball in the back of the net as well. I’m expecting a quality tournament from Flo Balogun. Wright: 29-year-old Brazilian midfielder. The very rare late bloomer for Brazil. He gets overshadowed with his club team because of Lamine Yamal; he gets overshadowed for Brazil sometimes because of Vini Jr., but he’s fresh off of a top-five Ballon d’Or finish. He is my pick for the Golden Ball, and Brazil will return to its birthright, winning the World Cup for the first time since 2002. Broussard: Can he return to form that he showed a year or so ago when he led Egypt to the knockout rounds? He’s one of the greatest African players of all time, a two-time African Footballer of the Year; last year, he was phenomenal for Liverpool, leading them to the Premier League championship, but he’s kind of gone into a slump since then. But, here comes to African Cup of Nations, he turns it around and plays tremendously. He seems to be rounding back into form at just the right time. Wildes: Only 24 years old and already in his second World Cup. He has three goals for England in 2022 and he’s already one of the best passers in the world. He plays with a joy, he’s fun to watch. I have England to win it, or at least go further than usual. Wright: Listen, he’s 27 years old, he plays for Juventus, he can play literally any position but keeper. He’s in the midst of his best club league season, including scoring four goals in the Champions League. If the United States is finally going to make it past their glass ceiling of the round of 16 and return to the quarterfinals, he might be the single most influential player. He might be the X-Factor for the United States.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Michigan starting point guard Elliot Cadeau rejoined his teammates for the Final Four and said Thursday his allergic reaction that required hospitalization a day earlier was due to an accidental exposure to nuts. “I just ate something I was allergic to,” the junior said as he sat at his locker at Lucas Oil Stadium, two days before the Wolverines meet fellow No. 1 seed Arizona in the national semifinals. Coach Dusty May said Cadeau, who averages 10.2 points and 5.8 assists, is “fine.” Cadeau’s treatment came as his teammates were flying to the Final Four, though Cadeau said a Michigan staffer had driven him to Indianapolis to rejoin teammates ahead of Thursday’s locker-room interviews and other pregame promotional activities. Cadeau described it as “just a minor inconvenience for me.” “I just had a little bit of hives so that’s why I went to the hospital, just to prevent anything further from happening,” he said. Detroit radio station WWJ 950 posted a video on X on Wednesday showing a covered individual sitting upright while being wheeled out of Michigan’s player development center on a gurney and loaded into an ambulance. Michigan later confirmed it was Cadeau, who had complained of a possible allergic reaction and received medical supervision “out of an abundance of caution.” “If it’s the worst thing that happens to us, then we’re very blessed,” May said Thursday. “It also just shows him how much he means to his teammates. They were very concerned, obviously, like we all would be for a reaction like that. “But just grateful that he’s fine. We have great medical care, and he’s back with us. Dude is a warrior. He’ll be fine.” Reported by The Associated Press.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Three years ago, Sophia Wilson never could have dreamed she’d be in this position. It was the spring of 2023, and Wilson was participating in a U.S. women’s national team media day ahead of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. One of the many questions she was asked that day was about the moms on the roster. There were three: Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn and Julie Ertz. At the time, Wilson looked at them as examples of what she aspired to be — an athlete in the prime of her career who was also a mom. Now here we are in 2026, about a year out from the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, and Wilson is one of those moms she always looked up to. “It’s so special,” Wilson told a group of reporters via Zoom on Thursday. “I don’t think I could have imagined it. I think I knew I always wanted to be a mom. I’ve always been very maternal and I love kids and feel like that’s my biggest calling in life is to be a mom. So I just feel very fortunate that I’m in the position I’m in, having players like Alex go through it was just the coolest thing to see.” Wilson, 25, was just named to her first national team roster in 15 months after her pregnancy and giving birth to her daughter, Gigi, in August. Her last appearance for the U.S. was Oct. 24, 2024 in a 3-1 win over Iceland. The superstar forward — and one third of the USA’s famous “Triple Espresso” — is a massive re-addition to a squad that’s preparing for World Cup qualifying later this year, and she will likely feature in three upcoming April matches against Japan. When Wilson steps on the field next, she’ll be the 18th mom ever to play for the USWNT, and the next time she scores a goal, she’ll be the ninth mom to do so. “Being that player that I once viewed Alex as is pretty surreal,” Wilson said. “And I hope that I carry myself in the same way that Alex did where it showed younger girls and athletes that it is very possible to do both — have a family and play at a high level and just do all the things.” Coming back from pregnancy is an experience unlike any other. For Wilson, it was a balancing act of tempering her competitive juices with being patient with herself. She missed the entire 2025 NWSL season while pregnant, and recently returned from maternity leave. She played in her first game for the Portland Thorns on March 13 vs. the Washington Spirit. Wilson has been building minutes with her club, but has yet to play a full 90. That day is coming though. “Getting back to playing at a high level is not just a straight path,” Wilson said. “It’s not going to happen with the snap of my fingers. A lot of work went into it behind the scenes that a lot of people didn’t see and a lot of work is still going into it. “It’s just being gracious with myself and going into it with the perspective of, look at what my body has done for me and what it’s still continuing to do for me and knowing that it is very possible to be great at both things: be a great mom and be a great athlete.” Wilson understands that women — be them athletes or not — may feel pressure to come back to regularly scheduled programming after pregnancy sooner rather than later. But she is happy with how she’s been able to take her time and go about in her own way. “I think just knowing myself, knowing my body, knowing that it will take time to get back — I wouldn’t even say normal because what is normal? — but just get back to feeling like 100% myself,” Wilson said. “But I feel like I’m in a really great place right now. I think I’ve taken this journey the right way. I think I’ve gone about it the right way. I’ve had so much support, so much help, and I haven’t felt pressured in any way.” Wilson spoke of the importance of seeing athletes go through pregnancy before her, and how “that, more than anything, is what shows me that I can do it, too.” She’s close with former players like Morgan and Dunn, and knows the history of players who had to figure things out with little help. Recently revamped NWSL and USWNT CBAs not only exist, but include critical care for mothers such as paid maternity leave, contract security, medical benefits and a return-to-play structure. “We’ve had so many amazing players that have done that in conditions that were very poor where they didn’t have the resources they needed and they didn’t have the support they needed,” Wilson said. “And those players still did a lot of fighting for the players that they knew would come after them and go through the same thing that players like myself felt more supported. “And for that, I’m very grateful because it’s a very selfless thing to do, to go through those negotiations and fight for those things knowing that maybe it’s not you who will benefit from it, but the players after you who will.” Former U.S. teammates who come to mind when she thinks about this are Morgan and Dunn. “I remember [Morgan’s] first camp she brought [her daughter] Charlie back in and just thinking, ‘That’s so inspiring, so incredible,’” Wilson said. “And just watching her go through that and get back to playing at a high level, I think was just my first example that I got to see firsthand of someone doing that. “And then obviously I played with Crystal [in Portland and on the USWNT] when she had Marcel, and that was the most fun thing ever. I feel like I just got to see it all. And Crystal is like a big sister to me, so just being so close with her while she went through that was really amazing to see.” Wilson, who is married to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson, said she has a nanny who travels with her everywhere, which is helpful when she has to be 100% present and focused on her job. Wilson is still nursing and said she’s “a mom that likes to do everything unless I literally, physically can’t,” so having a support system is key for her lifestyle. “It does take a village,” Wilson said. “People do it by themselves, but it’s so much easier with help and I feel so supported in every environment that I’ve been in so far and I know the national team is going to be the same because they’ve had experience with it. “I feel really supported,” Wilson added. “I’ve felt like I’ve had all the resources that I’ve needed. And it’s just figuring it out as we go.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports