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The world’s best sporting event – the 2026 FIFA World Cup — is coming this summer, and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever. But which 48 fanbases will be the loudest? The most fun and the most passionate? Vote in our 2026 FIFA World Cup Ultimate Fanbase, sponsored by Lay’s! How It Works? This bracket consists of all 48 qualified teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Those teams are separated into four quadrants consisting of three of the current World Cup groups in each: – Region 1 has Groups A/B/C- Region 2 has Groups D/E/F- Region 3 has Groups G/H/I- Region 4 has Groups J/K/L Here’s the kicker! The teams are then seeded by each of their combined social media followings – including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube. And some of these times have some big-time followings. We’ve given the top four seeds (Brazil, USA, France, and Argentina) byes in the bracket. How To Vote? Easy! All voting takes place across the @FOXSoccer social accounts. So if you don’t already follow FOX Soccer, do so now! You’ll be able to vote on: – Instagram- Facebook- YouTube – X Or check out the polls below.  Vote on your platform of choice and it will count! Voting will take place over the entire month of April with a winner announced on the last day of the month! The winners will get an official billboard touting your nation as the best FIFA 2026 World Cup fans in front of your team’s training facility! Today’s Matchups: Bracket A/B/C – First Round Canada Fans vs. Switzerland Fans As one of the three co-host nations, Canada will be awash in red and maple leaves during the summer as Les Rouges fans cheer on their home team. In this matchup, they take on Switzerland fans who are among the most well-traveled fan bases across Europe. Scotland Fans vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina Fans Scottish fans, adorned in kilts and sporrans, will be in full force singing “The Flower of Scotland” before World Cup games. Bosnia & Herzegonvina supporters will look to bring the passion they had when their side ousted Italy from World Cup contention. Qatar Fans vs. Czechia Fans Qataris were gracious hosts at the 2022 World Cup and will now look to build on their legacy this summer. Meanwhile, Czechia fans are relishing the moment of having reached the tournament for the first time since 2006. South Africa Fans vs. Haiti Fans Song, dance and vuvuzelas. The passion and support for the Bafana Bafana (as the South Africa team is affectionately known) is well known. Haiti fans will also have plenty to cheer about as well – the country returns to the World Cup for the first time since 1974. 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 primetime across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The 2026 NFL Draft is loaded with pass-catchers who possess the skills to make an immediate impact as pros. Although the class is light on playmakers who rank as consensus blue-chip prospects, there is a collection of role players in this group who could emerge as superstar-caliber specialists at the next level. Given some time to study and assess the class, here are my top 10 receivers in this year’s draft: 10. Ted Hurst, Georgia State The long, rangy pass-catcher (6-foot-4, 206 pounds) is a natural “X” receiver with the speed, quickness and burst to develop into a 1,000-yard receiver as a pro. Despite his small-school status, Hurst brings a big-time game to the field that surprises defenders who are unable to handle his rare combination of size, speed and skill. As the league continues to evolve into a matchup league where coaches target mismatches, Hurst’s ball skills and playmaking ability make him one of the hidden gems in the 2026 class. 9. Denzel Boston, Washington The 6-foot-4, 212-pound Boston is a jump-ball specialist with the superior size, length and ball skills to dominate smaller defensive backs. Boston’s ultra-physical game overwhelms opponents who are unable to deal with his post-ups over the middle and down the field. While his lack of explosive speed and quickness could limit his effectiveness against elite cover corners, the Washington product’s competitiveness gives him a shot to consistently impact the game as a rugged possession receiver on the perimeter. 8. Malachi Fields, Notre Dame Despite a disappointing performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, Fields is the traditional “X” receiver offensive coordinators covet on the perimeter. Measuring 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds, with sticky hands and exceptional ball skills, Fields expands the strike zone for a quarterback, particularly in the red zone where 50-50 balls can decide games. Although his timed speed (4.61-second 40-yard dash) raises concerns about his separation ability, the former high school quarterback routinely whips defenders on the perimeter as a polished route-runner for his size. As a designated WR2 slated to play on the backside of an offense that features an established No. 1 option, Fields could flourish in the NFL as a chain-mover. 7. Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee The 6-foot-4, 198-pound speedster is one of the most dangerous vertical threats in the 2026 class. Brazzell’s speed, explosiveness and acceleration demand extra attention from the defense, leading to more room for other receivers to operate underneath. If defenders fail to respect his big-play potential, the lanky pass-catcher will punish opponents on go-balls or various vertical routes that enable him to utilize his superior burst with the ball in the air. While some will view the Tennessee product as a one-trick pony based on his size/speed profile, Brazzell flashes enough body control to develop into a well-rounded WR2 at the next level. 6. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M As one of the most explosive slot receivers to come out of the collegiate game, Concepcion has the potential to develop into a game-changing playmaker at the next level. The 6-foot, 190-pound pass catcher is a RAC (run after catch) specialist with the short-area quickness and burst to turn quick passes into big plays. As an explosive punt returner with excellent balance, body control and burst, Concepcion is at his best when he is able to transition from pass-catcher to playmaker on the perimeter. Although his occasional battle with the “dropsies” affects his overall score, the Texas A&M standout could shine as a slot receiver in the pros, with his tools and talent showcased in a wide-open offensive scheme. 5. Zachariah Branch, Georgia Teams looking for a speedy slot receiver to fill a role as the designated gadget playmaker should have Branch highlighted on this list. The 5-foot-9, 177-pounder is a bubble-screen specialist with the speed, quickness and explosiveness to outrun or outmaneuver defenders on the perimeter. He displays exceptional acceleration and stop-start quickness with the ball in his hands, and he also flashes the straight-line speed to add a dimension to the offense as a vertical threat on the perimeter. Factor in his dynamic return skills as a kick and punt returner with long-distance scores on his résumé and Branch is the prototypical slot receiver to build a package around. 4. Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana The fourth-year junior is a pro-ready playmaker with an understated game. Cooper wins with fundamentals over flash, utilizing patience and precision to create space as a route-runner. As a polished pass-catcher with a game that is seasoned like a 10-year veteran, the Indiana standout is a nice fit as a WR2/WR3 playing opposite an established No. 1 receiver. 3. Makai Lemon, USC As an electric “Z” receiver (flanker) with experience from the slot, Lemon is the type of catch-and-run specialist most offensive coordinators covet in the lineup. From bubble screens and fly sweeps to shallow crossers and dig routes, the 5-foot-11, 192-pound Lemon has a knack for converting underneath throws into first downs. With sticky hands and a fearless approach complementing his spectacular route-running skills, Lemon is a first down waiting to happen. 2. Carnell Tate, Ohio State The acrobatic pass-catcher blossomed into a hybrid WR1/WR2 candidate during his tenure with the Buckeyes. As the complementary playmaker opposite future a first-round pick, Tate punished opponents who attempted to double-team Jeremiah Smith. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Tate averaged 17.2 yards per catch and scored nine touchdowns in 2025, exhibiting big-play potential as a vertical threat and chain-mover capabilities as an underneath receiver in the mold of Davante Adams. 1. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State A polished route-runner with exceptional playmaking skills, Tyson reminds me of Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound ASU star is a talented technician with experience playing out wide and in the slot. Although Tyson’s extensive injury history leads to durability concerns — torn ACL in 2022, broken collarbone in 2024, hamstring issues in 2025 — the tape is so impressive that he deserves the top spot on this list despite his boom-or-bust medical status. If Tyson is healthy, he will quickly emerge as a blue-chip player who warrants All-Pro and Pro Bowl consideration early in his career.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Every year, there are record-setting deals in the NFL. In this free-agency cycle, we saw center Tyler Linderbaum receive a contract from the Raiders that blew the top off of the market at his position. Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, topped the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase as the highest-paid wide receiver by average annual value with his $42.15 million per year extension. So, who’s next in line to become the highest-paid player at their position by average salary? Here is my pick for each position on offense and defense, with players drafted as late as 2023 now extension eligible: Quarterback: Lamar Jackson, Ravens Current highest paid: Dak Prescott, Cowboys ($60 million APY) The Ravens restructured Jackson’s contract last month to create cap space, but a historic extension remains on the table for the 29-year-old QB before the start of the 2026 season. Since signing his last deal in 2023 — a five-year, $260 million extension — Jackson has won a second league MVP award and earned two of his three first-team All-Pro nods. Running back: Bijan Robinson, Falcons Current highest paid: Saquon Barkley, Eagles ($20.6 million APY) Last season, Robinson led the NFL with 2,298 scrimmage yards (1,478 rushing, 820 receiving) en route to first-team All Pro honors, the first of his career. An extension for the 2023 No. 8 overall pick should be a no-brainer priority for the Falcons, especially given their quarterback uncertainty entering 2026. Wide receiver: Puka Nacua, Rams Current highest paid: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($42.15 million APY) Despite recent off the field issues, Nacua remains on track to top Smith-Njigba as the NFL’s highest-paid wideout before next season. In 2025, the former fifth-round pick led the league in receptions (129), receiving first downs (80) and receiving yards per game (107.2) and ranked second in receiving yards (1,715) despite missing a game. Tight end: Kyle Pitts, Falcons Current highest paid: George Kittle, 49ers ($19.1 million APY) After getting franchise-tagged in February, the 25-year-old Pitts is well-positioned to surpass Kittle’s number. The No. 4 overall pick in 2021, Pitts caught a career-high 88 passes last season for 928 yards and five touchdowns en route to second-team All-Pro honors. The Lions’ Sam LaPorta and Packers’ Tucker Kraft, other contenders to set the market at the tight end position, are coming off season-ending injuries, paving the way for Pitts to become the first of the three to get a second contract. Offensive tackle: Darnell Wright, Bears Current highest paid: Laremy Tunsil, Commanders ($30.1 million APY) Wright isn’t a left tackle, but the former No. 10 overall pick has a chance to surpass Tunsil’s deal with the league’s rising salary cap. Still just 24, the former Tennessee Vol has started all 49 games of his career at right tackle and earned second-team All-Pro honors last season. Guard: Peter Skoronski, Titans Current highest paid: Tyler Smith, Cowboys ($24 million APY) The 11th overall pick in 2023, Skoronski has gone from a college tackle to one of the best young guards in the NFL. The 24-year-old standout has started 48 career games at left guard. Center: Jared Wilson, Patriots Current highest paid: Tyler Linderbaum, Raiders ($27 million APY) Linderbaum’s deal shattered the previous high for centers owned by the Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey ($18 million APY). Since it marked such a substantial market reset, the Linderbaum contract could be viewed as an outlier by the greater NFL community, meaning it could be a while until we see another reset. Wilson is a candidate to do so in two years, when he becomes extension eligible for the first time. The 2025 third-round pick started 13 games for the Patriots last season at left guard, but New England intends to move him to center following the signing of Alijah Vera-Tucker in free agency. Edge rusher: Will Anderson Jr., Texans Current highest paid: Micah Parsons, Packers ($46.5 million APY) Already one of the NFL’s best defensive players, Anderson registered 12 sacks and 85 pressures last season en route to first-team All-Pro honors. The former No. 3 overall pick has 30 sacks in three seasons. Defensive tackle: Jalen Carter, Eagles Current highest paid: Chris Jones, Chiefs ($31.75 million APY) In just three seasons, Carter, the ninth overall pick in 2023, has become one of football’s most disruptive defensive tackles. He was a second-team All-Pro honoree in 2024 and has made the Pro Bowl in back-to-back seasons. The former Georgia star had three sacks, 29 pressures and seven pass breakups in 11 games in 2025. Inside Linebacker: Jack Campbell, Lions Current highest paid: Fred Warner, 49ers ($21 million APY) Campbell, the 18th overall pick in 2023, has seen a significant jump in his production in each of his three seasons. In 2025, the former Iowa star had 176 tackles (second in the NFL), five sacks, four pass breakups and three forced fumbles en route to first-team All-Pro honors. Cornerback: Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks Current highest paid: Trent McDuffie, Rams ($31 million APY) Witherspoon is slated to become the league’s highest-paid player at his position in short order, following in the footsteps of his Seahawks teammate and fellow 2023 first-rounder Smith-Njigba, whom Seattle just made the league’s highest-paid receiver. Witherspoon has been named to the Pro Bowl three straight times to begin his career. The ex-Illinois star recorded an interception, seven pass breakups and 72 tackles in 12 games last season. Safety: Xavier McKinney, Packers Current highest paid: Kyle Hamilton, Ravens ($25.1 million APY) The Packers restructured McKinney’s current contract for cap relief, but the star safety is in line for a big deal in 2027, when his cap hit is scheduled to be a hefty $24.8 million. The former Giants second-round pick has 13 interceptions over the past three seasons and has made an All-Pro team in back-to-back years.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The stage for the best sporting event on the planet is set. The world will tune in this summer for soccer’s biggest event as the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11. Spread across three countries and 16 cities, we’ll witness 48 teams strive for glory and immortality. The full field is now complete. Here’s the complete list of teams across the 12 groups that will be competing at the World Cup. How to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within FOX One’s new, innovative World Cup viewing experience and the FOX Sports App. Every match will be available in 4K on FOX One and most major Pay TV providers. Who Is Hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup? For the first time ever, there will be three countries hosting the World Cup — the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Only once in the tournament’s history have there been co-hosts, with the 2002 edition being held in South Korea and Japan. Eleven cities will be hosting the tournament in the U.S. including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area. Canadian cities, Toronto and Vancouver, will also host games with three Mexican cities — Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City — also included. For 2026, the majority of the 104 matches will be held in the U.S., with 78 games spread across 11 cities. Canada (two cities) and Mexico (three cities) will have 13 matches each. Group A Mexico South Korea South Africa Czechia Group B Canada Switzerland Qatar Bosnia & Herzegovina Group C Brazil Morocco Scotland Haiti Group D United States Australia Paraguay Türkiye Group E Germany Ecuador Ivory Coast Curaçao Group F Netherlands Japan Tunisia Sweden Group G Belgium Iran Egypt New Zealand Group H Spain Uruguay Saudi Arabia Cape Verde Group I France Senegal Norway Iraq Group J Argentina Austria Algeria Jordan Group K Portugal Colombia Uzbekistan Congo DR Group L England Croatia Panama Ghana​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The 2026 World Cup hasn’t officially kicked off yet, but Tuesday’s final qualifying matches brought us plenty of excitement and drama that made the day feel like a World Cup day. All four UEFA playoff matches were either decided by a goal or in penalty kicks. Four-time World Cup champion Italy was among the eight European nations looking to secure its bid for the 2026 World Cup, but the Azzurri fell short of qualifying for a third straight tournament with its loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday. Elsewhere, Turkiye, Sweden and Czechia each punched their tickets into the 2026 World Cup in thrilling fashion. DR Congo also advanced, defeating Jamaica in one of the intercontinental playoff matchups. Iraq will face Bolivia later in the other intercontinental playoff matchup. Here’s a closer look at the final six matches of qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 (4), Italy 1 (1) Italy’s curse continues. In dramatic fashion, Bosnia and Herzegovina advanced in penalties, 1-1 (4-1 on PKs), to secure the final spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B. The result ensured that Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row. Italy missed its first and third penalty kicks during the shootout, which left the door open for American-born Esmir Barjaktarevic to step up and nail the deciding kick and send Bosnia and Herzegovina to Group B, where it will face co-host Canada, Qatar and Switzerland. The opening goal began with a poorly placed pass from Bosnian goalie Nikola Vasilj, which was intercepted by Nicolo Barella, who dished it toward a sprinting Moise Kean, who placed his right-footed shot in the top far corner to make it 1-0 in the 14th minute of the match. Right as it appeared the Azzurri would make its return to the World Cup, the match took a dramatic turn before the break. Alessandro Bastoni was sent off with a direct red card in the 42nd minute after taking down Amar Memic without making a clear attempt at the ball, which meant Italy had to finish the match with 10 men. Italy held on to its lead for most of the second half, before Bosnian captain Edin Dzeko flipped the match on its head as he headed in the equalizer in the 79th. Amar Dedic sent a cross into the area, applying the same strategy Bosnia and Herzegovina had applied following the red card as Dzeko received the cross in the perfect spot to get his header past Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Bosnia and Herzegovina will be making its second appearance at the World Cup, the first coming in 2014, which saw the nation exit in the group stage. Türkiye 1, Kosovo 0 Türkiye is back in the World Cup! Türkiye ended its 24-year World Cup absence, defeating Kosovo, 1-0, to advance to qualify for the World Cup. Türkiye’s win now solidifies Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay and tournament co-host USA. While the United States was looking like the top dog in its group stage next to Paraguay and Australia, adding Türkiye to the mix shifts the competition level. The Turkish lineup, including Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz and Fenerbahce’s Kerem Aktürkoglu, helps make it a formidable opponent in Group D. Kosovo entered the match with the chance to make history, with a first-ever World Cup berth on the line since becoming a FIFA-sanctioned country back in 2016. Türkiye’s heroic 2002 World Cup run with a third-place finish was its most recent appearance. Point being, Tuesday’s match was meaningful for both countries. In a back-and-forth first half with multiple opportunities in the final third for both teams, the Turkish and Kosovo held it to 0-0. Rallying early in the second half, Türkiye put away an early 1-0 lead, which helped seal its win and its World Cup spot. Following his yellow card in the first half, Aktürkoglu found the back of the net in the 53rd minute to take the lead. Scoring early in the half allowed Aktürkoglu and Türkiye to defend their narrow lead and secure their win. Türkiye’s win also marks the first-ever appearance under current manager Vincenzo Montella. The Turkish are now set to face Australia on June 12 in Vancouver to help kick off Group D competition. Sweden 3, Poland 2 It was a thriller! Anthony Elanga drew first blood for Sweden in the 18th minute, powering in a goal just above Polish goalkeeper Kamil Grabara. Later, Nicola Zalewski got Poland even in the 33rd minute, squeaking home the equalizer on the right side of the net. Poland was the aggressor in the first half, getting off six shots on goal, compared to Sweden’s two shots on goal. The problem for Poland? Gustaf Lagerbielke’s goal in the 44th minute gave Sweden a 2-1 lead at halftime. Poland evened up the scoreboard in the 55th minute when Karol Swiderski knocked in a close-up shot following a pair of crisp passes. But heartbreak awaited Poland. Following a flurry of Swedish shot attempts, Viktor Gyokeres sent in a contested shot in the 88th minute, which gave Sweden the lead for good and put it in Group F — and the polarity of emotion ensued for the two sides mere minutes later. Czechia 2 (3), Denmark 2 (1) After two decades away, Czechia is back in the World Cup. Czechia needed penalty kicks, but it took down Denmark on Tuesday to advance to the World Cup. Attacking midfielder Pavel Sulc scored off a corner kick in the 3rd minute to open up an early 1-0 lead for Czechia, hitting where Denmark’s keeper, Mads Hermansen, could not get to it. Czechia put the pressure on again in the first half, nearly scoring on a set piece in the 38th minute, but failed to finish. Denmark would control the ball throughout, but it was even more ineffective at capitalizing on its opportunities to score: Denmark had five attempts on target and 10 total attempts in the opening half, while Czechia’s mere 4 total attempts resulted in a score. Denmark continued to control the ball in the second half — entering the 70th minute, it had possession for 80% of the second half and 75% overall — but again and again was repelled by Czechia’s defenses. The Danes finally broke through with a goal off a free kick in the 72nd minute, with centre-back Joachim Andersen knocking in a header past Czechia keeper Matej Kovar, knotting it up 1-1. Czechia almost immediately attempted a response with its first shot of the half in the 75th minute, but Hermansen fell on that attempt. Denmark threatened again and again, but with less urgency – Czechia would eventually push the ball back the other way and get a corner kick in the 90th minute. Czechia still had the ball at the start of three minutes of stoppage time, but Hermansen intercepted another shot and briefly gave Denmark back possession before Czechia threatened again — the stalemate continued right into extra time. Czechia continued to show the aggressiveness of the late second half, but to no avail despite multiple corners within the first 7 minutes of extra time. In the 100th minute, though, Ladislav Krejci scored from close with a kick that ricocheted off the foot of Denmark right-back Alexander Bah. That wasn’t enough for Czechia to secure its World Cup ticket, though. Denmark scored again in the 111th minute off a header from Kasper Waarst Hogh to even the match at 2-2. The match went to penalties, where Tomas Chory, Tomas Soucek and Michal Sadilek scored to help Czechia move on. Czechia will play in Group A, which features co-host Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. DR Congo 1, Jamaica 0 DR Congo booked its ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Jamaica, 1-0, in extra time. In a winner-take-all final for one of the final two spots in this summer’s tournament, both sides battled through 99 scoreless minutes before Congo’s Axel Tuanzebe finished off a corner kick and scored the winner from close range. DR Congo will now join Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan in Group K this summer. DR Congo nearly had the winning goal on two different occasions in regular time, one in the fifth minute and another in the 85th, when Cedric Bakambu and Theo Bongonda were each called offside and overturned, respectively. Moments after Bongonda’s goal was ruled offside, Jamaica’s Andre Blake made a dramatic save to keep his nation’s World Cup dreams alive. The African nation will open group play against Portugal on June 17 in Houston, followed by a match-up with Colombia in Guadalajara and will finish group stage play on June 27 against Uzbekistan in Atlanta.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

All of UEFA’s 2026 World Cup spots have been filled, but not before a drama-filled Tuesday. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Czechia eliminated Italy and Denmark in shootouts, while Sweden and Türkiye advanced, as well. It was a huge day as two noteworthy European teams were knocked out, while the USA, Mexico and Canada all had their groups completed. Here are our takeaways: 1. Bosnia and Herzegovina Shocks Italy in Shootout For the third straight World Cup, Italy will be watching from home. After taking a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute, Italy saw defender Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan) sent off before Bosnian substitute Haris Tabakovic scored in the 72nd minute to tie the game. From there, Italy missed two penalties with Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missing the target. Moise Kean (Fiorentina) opened the scoring for Italy in the first half, but the game turned on its head in the 42nd minute. According to Opta, Kean is the fourth Italian player to have scored in six consecutive appearances for the Azzurri, and he has eight goals in that span. From there, the Italian defense was on its heels. Italy had 60% of possession before Bastoni’s red card, but it finished the game at 45%. The Bosnians were on the front foot and whipping crosses in the box toward star striker Edin Dzeko, but nothing could connect. Gianluigi Donnarumma was fantastic, providing a few fantastic saves to rescue the Italians. The Manchester City goalkeeper had 10 saves. Bosnia and Herzegovina has qualified for its second World Cup and first since 2014. The Bosnians will join Canada, Switzerland and Qatar in Group A this summer. 2. Türkiye Becomes USA’s Biggest Competition Turkish striker Kerem Akturkoglu scored in the 53rd minute, and that was all that was required. Türkiye had 65% of possession and created more chances than Kosovo en route to qualification. Türkiye was favored to advance to the World Cup and found itself in the playoff stage because it was in the same group as Spain, which is one of the biggest favorites for this summer’s tournament. The Turks have won five of their last six games, including a pair of 1-0 wins over Romania and Kosovo in the playoff games. The one game in that stretch it did not win was a 2-2 draw in Spain. Türkiye joins the United States, Australia and Paraguay in Group D at this summer’s World Cup. The Turks will be seen as the Americans’ biggest competition in that group. Those teams will face off in the final game of the group stage on July 25 in Los Angeles. 3. Sweden’s Star Striker Steps Up Again Just days after a hat trick that powered Sweden’s win over Ukraine, Viktor Gyokeres delivered again when his country needed him. The Arsenal striker thumped home the match-winning and World Cup-qualifying goal in the 88th minute to break a 2-2 deadlock. It was Gyokeres’ 19th goal for Sweden in his 32nd appearance. Gyokeres especially needed to step up for Sweden in these wins over Ukraine and Poland with fellow striker Alexander Isak (Liverpool) out injured. When both are fit, the Swedes have one of the best 1-2 combinations up top in the tournament. Sweden joins the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in Group F. 4. Czechia Shocks Denmark To Seal World Cup Spot What the Czechs pulled against Denmark on Tuesday is referred to in soccer as a “smash and grab.” Czechia only possessed the ball for 23% of the game and had fewer than half the shots Denmark had, but it took its chances and is now headed to the World Cup. The first goal came early in the third minute when a Czech corner was cleared to the top of the 18-yard box. From there, midfielder Pavel Sulc (Lyon) hammered home a right-footed shot to give his country the lead. Denmark was expected to have the majority of possession, and it had the ball for 72% of the time at halftime. It was one-way traffic for the rest of the 90 minutes. Denmark finally scored in the 72nd minute, when Fulham defender Joachim Anderson got on the end of a cross from winger Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford) to head home the equalizer. It was Czechia that struck in extra time, though. Center back Ladislav Krejci (Wolves) pounced and gave the Czechs the lead. After 120 minutes, Denmark had 77% possession but was unable to build any meaningful lead. Midfielder Michal Sadilek put home the decisive penalty that ensured the Czechs will join Group A, which features Mexico, South Korea and South Africa. That group is wide open, with Mexico sitting as the favorite with all three of its group games to be played in its home country.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Christian Pulisic and the United States now know their path to glory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after learning their group stage opponents, which stadiums they will play at, and the times for the games. When is the 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. The FOX family of networks and the FOX Sports app are your complete home for World Cup content, including live matches, complete highlights, commentary and analysis, and full-match replays. What is the United States’ Group and Who are the Opponents? The United States will be in Group D. Its opponents will be: What is the United States’ World Cup Schedule? The United States discovered its three group-stage opponents at the World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 5. The team’s three group-stage games will be as follows:​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

New York — On Sunday evening, about 20 minutes after the Mets’ first loss of the season, Bo Bichette materialized from the double doors on the far side of the team clubhouse. Waiting for him was a gaggle of media members teeming with cameras, microphones, notebooks and recorders. Bichette, still wearing his eye black from a game in which he went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts, stepped into the lion’s den of reporters. Hitting third behind Juan Soto in the team’s new-look lineup, Bichette went 1-for-14 with eight strikeouts in his first series as a Met. This was not what anybody had expected from the two-time All-Star. In seven seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, Bichette built a reputation as a low-strikeout hitter with elite bat-to-ball skills. His initial at-bats as a Met were starkly different, and in the series finale against the Pirates, the home crowd at Citi Field let him hear it. Mets fans booed Bichette for his slow start. So, there was a lot to unpack postgame on Sunday. There was a chance it could get ugly, given this was Bichette’s first time facing the music in New York after struggling at the plate to begin the season. First impressions matter a great deal around here. Bichette, standing with his chin up in front of the team backdrop in the center of the quiet locker room, put on a masterclass in how to navigate difficult questions about a poor performance. He was honest. “Sometimes in-between, sometimes trying to do too much,” Bichette said, shaking his head, of his approach at the plate. “That’s pretty much what happens when you don’t feel good. “I didn’t anticipate it. But I definitely felt that — wanting to have a big moment, not only for my teammates, but for the fans and everything. That’s just something I have to manage.” If there’s one thing that can lessen the pain of a loss, it’s accountability. Mets fans have seen and heard it all throughout the organization’s 40-year championship drought. Excuses, falsehoods, egos, lack of awareness — you name it. But owning it? That’s rare. That’s the stuff of superstars, and that’s who Bichette looked like on Sunday as he candidly disclosed why he’d been out of sorts at the plate. For players, admitting that they’re trying to be the hero is typically not something that’s said out loud. Sure, that sentiment can be shared privately with teammates, particularly with those who have been through it and might offer advice on how to overcome it. But broadcasting it to the media, where it can be used as a sound bite that will be played on a loop on TV and social media? That just doesn’t happen all that often anymore. When he was asked about a sensitive subject, if the boos at Citi Field caught him off guard, Bichette actually laughed and said, “No. If anything, I thought it took too long. But I mean, I get it. I thought my at-bats were terrible, too.” Bichette’s integrity was refreshing. It was the type of leadership the Mets need in their heavily overturned clubhouse. His candor may not only help Mets fans forgive his start, but also wish he didn’t have opt-outs after every season of his three-year, $126 million contract. Bichette understood that booing comes with the territory, and it takes guts to stand in front of unfamiliar faces and choose to be honest in a new and intimidating media market. Still, Bichette knows he has to back it up. The third baseman smoked a go-ahead RBI single in the fifth inning of the Mets’ series opener against the Cardinals on Monday in St. Louis. He flashed a huge smile when he got to first base. Playing in New York isn’t for everyone, but sometimes the hyper-competitive, win-now environment is all anyone needs to flourish. New Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. has so far excelled since being acquired from the White Sox, for whom he played for six years, the most talented hitter in an otherwise hopeless lineup. The White Sox went 41-121 in 2024, setting an MLB record for the most losses in a single season. After his All-Star and Silver Slugger 2023 season, Robert was limited by injuries and produced below-league-average results the past two years. This season, in the short sample size of a few games, we’ve already seen Robert string together competitive at-bats and meet the moment. It’s a case study in how a change of scenery can improve player performance. “It’s a different feeling when you come to the ballpark and you have the chance to win every day, to go to the playoffs, to go to the top of the top,” Soto told me on Sunday in the Mets’ clubhouse. “It’s just a different feeling in all aspects. So I think this is one of the best things you can have, being on a team that wants to compete every year and tries to be part of the playoffs every year. I think it’s a different breed.” In the 11th inning of a frigid Saturday night at Citi Field, Robert hit a three-run walk-off home run against Pirates left-hander Hunter Barco. Robert has had more success against southpaws in his career, with a batting average near .300 compared to his .260 overall mark. He didn’t waste any time showcasing how dangerous he can be in the middle of New York’s lineup, particularly when he’s locked in. Robert batted .455 (5-for-11) with five RBIs, three runs scored and three walks in the three-game series against Pittsburgh. “It’s really special, honestly,” Robert said through an interpreter after his game-winning homer on Saturday. “To be able to do it here? These last two games have really been special.” While Bichette has to figure out how to manage heightened expectations in New York, Robert and the Mets have to find the best workload management to keep him healthy. There is no question about his raw talent. That much was obvious after he went deep in below-freezing temperatures on Saturday. The Mets gave Robert a day off on Monday, the first of many that will be incorporated into his season. The team believes recovery is the answer to the 28-year-old staying healthy all year, which is something he’s achieved just once in his seven-year big-league career, in that peak 2023 season. On average, Robert came to New York having played in just 96 games per season. Even if he can lift that output to around 120 games this season and be ready for October baseball, that’s a win for Robert, New York and the Mets. “I feel like, right from the moment that he showed up, we saw how great he can be for the team and how good of a player he can be,” Soto said. “And the ability that he has is through the roof. I’m really excited for him.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

PHOENIX — A.J. Brown is a Philadelphia Eagle. That’s what head coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman have kept repeating at the NFL owners meetings the past few days. But that, of course, didn’t answer the question prevalent around the league. Will Brown be an Eagle when the season kicks off? The Philly brass repeatedly dodged that question as the team’s star receiver remains entrenched in trade rumors. “I understand that there’s interest in the A.J. Brown story,” Roseman told reporters on Sunday at the NFL’s annual meetings. “Unfortunately, I don’t have a home under a rock. But my answer to any question on A.J. Brown is that A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles.” The answer feels akin to when teams have to repeatedly state their starting quarterback is the guy — right now. Because the implication is that things might change in the near future. “A.J.’s an Eagle,” Sirianni said Monday. Right now. Sirianni fielded a question about whether he thinks DeVonta Smith is a bona fide No. 1 receiver. Smith, of course, might have to be the top option if the team moves on from Brown. But Sirianni sidestepped that question. “Let’s keep A.J. in there. Both those players are phenomenal players that contributed to a lot of wins over the past four years here,” the Eagles coach said. “It’s not like we have a 1a and 1b. We have two ones there.” Brown, who will turn 29 in June, is expected to net at least a first-round pick for Philly, per multiple reports. In each of the past two seasons, he has eclipsed 1,000 yards and has seven touchdowns. In 2023, he posted 1,456 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. One of the most likely destinations for Brown is the New England Patriots, who signed former Packers receiver Romeo Doubs in free agency, in part to replace Stefon Diggs, a salary cap casualty. But their passing game could use more help as they try to maximize Drake Maye’s development — and the QB’s rent-controlled rookie contract. Brown played for Patriots coach Mike Vrabel in Tennessee, and while Brown is well-known to be mercurial, he and Vrabel were a good match with the Titans. So yet again, Vrabel fielded a question about whether the team might trade for the Eagles’ star receiver. “We’re gonna try to do everything we can to strengthen our roster, through the draft, through free agency, multiple ways of player acquisition,” Vrabel told reporters. “So anything that we can continue to do to strengthen the roster, we’re going to try to do.” Speaking generally about trades, Vrabel said he wasn’t too worried about trading picks in this draft versus next year’s draft — or even the 2028 draft. That’s notable, because it has been widely reported that the Eagles could wait until June 1 to trade Brown, which would alleviate some of the dead cap money in his contract. That would mean that the Patriots — or any interested trade partner — would be working with assets in the 2027 draft, which many expect to be a better class than this year’s. Vrabel clearly isn’t interested in that kind of guesswork. The other question with Brown is whether the Patriots would be receptive to the receiver’s outspoken personality. He was a key cog in Philly’s Super Bowl run two seasons ago, but when things weren’t going well for the Eagles last year, Brown openly criticized the passing game — and implied he wouldn’t be with the team for long. But, again, speaking generally about players with big egos and personalities, Vrabel seemed confident he could handle a guy like Brown. “We understand that in professional sports, players are talented and have some sort of ego to them,” Vrabel told reporters. “And there’s a balance. They have to have that edge. As a coaching staff — whatever that is — you have to balance that edge. “Everyone wants to excel. What receiver doesn’t want to catch the ball?” What team will Brown be catching the ball for in 2026? It remains an open question.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Tyler Reddick said if he won Martinsville, it would be the end of the world, since he struggles at that track. The driver who won four of the first six Cup races didn’t win Martinsville. Instead, the sport’s most popular driver did. That moved Chase Elliott up in the standings. But Reddick stayed put and that’s at No. 1. Here are my power rankings as the series heads into an off weekend for Easter. The next event will be the second race of a two-race, short-track swing with the series heading to Bristol Motor Speedway. Dropped out: Bubba Wallace (Last Week: 7) On the verge: Chase Briscoe, Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, Daniel Suarez, Shane van Gisbergen, Bubba Wallace 10. Brad Keselowski (Last Week: 9)RFK Racing No. 6 Ford Keselowski finished a little bit disappointing 13th in his 600th start. But when starting 23rd, finishing in 13th isn’t a bad day for the 2012 Cup champion. 9.  Austin Cindric (Last Week: Not Ranked)Team Penske No. 2 Ford Cindric’s eighth-place finish gave him his second consecutive top-10. And not only did the Penske driver finish in the top 10, he was top 10 in both stages. He has moved up to 18th in the standings after a rough start to the year. 8. Kyle Larson (Last Week: 10)Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet Larson’s feast-or-famine season continued with a not-so-feast-or-famine finish, as his ninth-place finish at Martinsville was somewhat pedestrian for him. Not great but it was a relatively good day for the defending series champion that saw three Hendrick drivers finish in the top 10. Larson is ninth in the standings. 7. Christopher Bell (Last Week: 5)Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Toyota Bell didn’t finish in the top 10 in the stages but delivered a seventh-place finish. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver now has six top-10 finishes (with one win) in 13 starts at Martinsville. He sits seventh in the standings. 6. William Byron (Last Week: 6)Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet Byron qualified on the front row and it appeared this could be his day to have a breakout 2026 performance. Instead, it was just a solid day with a fifth-place finish for the Hendrick driver. He’s now fifth in the standings and still looking for his first 2026 victory. 5. Ty Gibbs (Last Week: 4)Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 Toyota Earning his third fourth-place finish in the last five races (and with finishes of fifth and sixth in the other two), Gibbs is having a season where he is knocking on the door to earn his first win. Considering he now has 130 career Cup starts, he could be forgiven if he is getting impatient. 4. Chase Elliott (Last Week: 8)Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 Chevrolet What a big win Martinsville was for Elliott and his team as they made their argument that the 2020 Cup champion will be a contender this year. Going back to Martinsville in October in the next-to-last race of the season should be good for the Hendrick driver. 3. Ryan Blaney (Last Week: 2)Team Penske No. 12 Ford Blaney was battling Denny Hamlin when Hamlin pinched him into the wall, leaving Blaney with a bit of damage and having him fight for a sixth-place finish. The 2023 Cup champion continues to be Penske’s most consistent driver. 2. Denny Hamlin (Last Week: 3)Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota Hamlin saw a potential Martinsville slip through his hands, thanks to a loose wheel and Elliott capitalizing on strategy. The winner of 61 Cup races knows that sometimes it’s just the way it goes. The JGR driver finished second. 1. Tyler Reddick (Last Week: 1)23XI Racing No. 45 Toyota Reddick was 15th at Martinsville but he’s still No. 1 here. It will take another stellar performance by Hamlin or Elliott or Blaney and a bad day at Bristol to knock Reddick off the top spot, as the 23XI driver is having a great start to the year.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports