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The Sweet 16 was the end of the line for Michigan State, but it appears it won’t be the end for head coach Tom Izzo. “Trying to win a national championship: plain and simple,” Izzo said in his postgame press conference when asked where he sees himself in five years after No. 3 seed Michigan State’s 67-63 loss to No. 2 seed UConn on Friday night. “That’s it. Those things usually start after your last loss. Nowadays, it’s a little more screwed up, but not at Michigan State. After our last loss, we all talked about what we got to do next year and how we got to learn from this. I got to give UConn a lot of credit, but, man, we didn’t look like ourselves, certainly, and that’s got to fall on the coach. I got to get them ready to do that. I’m feeling good. “We all talk about retirement. Why? What the hell am I going to do? The minute I don’t feel good, the minute I don’t feel like I’m giving my [athletic director] or president or school every ounce of energy I have every day or that energy drops, you don’t have to worry about it, I don’t steal money. I won’t steal anybody’s time, but it’s sure as hell not going to be now. I got some things to accomplish.” Michigan State began Friday night’s Sweet 16 matchup down 25-6 but was able to quickly narrow the gap, trailing 35-27 at halftime. The Spartans then took a 45-44 lead with 10:06 remaining in the second half. That said, UConn took the lead for good with 8:58 remaining and never looked back. Granted, Michigan State got within one point on multiple occasions within the final two minutes. In all, while Michigan State out-rebounded UConn, 34-25, the three-ball was the great equalizer for the Huskies, who knocked down nine three-pointers, compared to the Spartans’ four three-pointers. UConn center Tarris Reed Jr. had a game-high 20 points, while fellow senior Alex Karaban had 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. The Spartans, who were a No. 3 seed in the East Region of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, previously beat No. 14 seed North Dakota State in the first round and No. 6 seed Louisville in the second round. Michigan State finished the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season 27-8 overall and 15-5 in Big Ten play, good for third in the conference. The 71-year-old Izzo, who just wrapped up his 31st season as Michigan State’s head coach, boasts a career 764-310 record, with his 764 wins ranking 20th among men’s college basketball coaches. The Spartans have made the NCAA Tournament in each of the past 28 seasons (excluding the 2019-20 season when the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic), highlighted by eight appearances in the Final Four and winning the 2000 national title. At the same time, Michigan State last made the Final Four in 2019 and last appeared in the title game in 2009. Izzo — who has coached the Spartans in some capacity since 1983 (Izzo was an assistant coach under previous Michigan State coach Jud Heathcote for 12 seasons before becoming the Spartans’ head coach in 1995) — is determined to end that drought. “I said a couple [of] years ago that I’ll find a way to get back there [to the national championship],” Izzo added. “We’ve knocked on the door twice, [but] we haven’t gotten back. We’ll get back.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Barber Motorsports Park (Leeds, Ala.) — They say a picture is worth a thousand words. At Barber Motorsports Park, a picture is worth a thousand double-takes. From a big spider statue in one turn to a huge figurine of a lady’s head in a lake to a mannequin hanging from one of the bridges, this 2.3-mile, 17-turn road course is picturesque and eclectic like no other. Drivers will try not to pay attention to the artwork around the track. Well, that’s unless the mannequin Georgina falls and gets clipped by one of the cars like it did two years ago. They will likely pay most attention to Alex Palou, who led 81 of the 90 laps last year. The Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix is part of a FOX-FS1 doubleheader of racing with coverage of Barber beginning at 1 p.m. ET on FOX and then the NASCAR race at Martinsville set for 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1. Here’s what to know about this race weekend at Barber: Is Alex Palou the points leader? No. No he is not for the second race in a row. Kyle Kirkwood, for the first time in his five seasons in the series, leads the standings. Yes, it is only after three races of an 18-race schedule, but he is the leader. “Hopefully it’s not just for one weekend,” Kirkwood told me and other reporters Friday morning. “It’s a good feeling to be the points leader for the first time ever in an INDYCAR championship. I haven’t led a points championship since Indy Lights in 2021 so it’s a pretty big deal. “It’s a fun time to be alive in INDYCAR racing. Given that, we’re three races in. It’s not really a big focus right now, but it is a nice feather in my cap to say I had led an INDYCAR championship. And hopefully that trend does continue.” Prior to coming over to the media, Palou talked to Kirkwood. He said they weren’t talking about points. They were talking about the IMSA race at Sebring last weekend. “It’s rough,” the three-time defending series champion Palou sarcastically told me and other reporters Friday morning about not being the points leader. “It’s tough.” [INDYCAR INSIGHTS: Rotating Points Leaders Means More INDYCAR Parity] Can Palou lead 81 laps again? He can. But much like the way he views his overall dominance from last year, he views a repeat performance as tough. “Last year was great for the 10 car [of me],” Palou said. “Who knows [if it will be the same]. We will try. I think it changes every year. Two years ago, we’re not like that. Then last year we were. So hopefully [we are]. “It’s a place I love. I’m excited to be back on a road course. Finally, first one of 2026.” Can Andretti Have Clean Pit Stops? Andretti Global teams had a rough day on pit road at Arlington. The organization did not make changes for Barber. “Pit stops are not my job, so I just drive the car, hit the marks, and that’s it,” Kirkwood said. “On our car, we were having an issue with the right rear, and we know exactly what was happening. “We’ve been really good at pit stops at the beginning of the year. Across the board, we’re all faster than we have been. But we just need the consistency now and to tie it all together.” Kirkwood doesn’t get into suggesting what they can do better. He just tries to keep his crew motivated. “When I saw our rear right guy, Adam [Martin] after the race, I just was like: Listen, dude, you’ve been great all season, yes, there’s a couple of hiccups this weekend, but we know how good you are. Don’t be too hard on yourself. We know we’re going to rebound here at Barber, and everything’s going to be fine,” Kirkwood said. Who Might Surprise Fans? Nolan Siegel started sixth and finished ninth at Barber last year. The Arrow McLaren driver could really use that type of day as he has had finishes of 20th, 20th and 24th this year. “It’s interesting and almost more frustrating in a way because I actually feel like this year has felt much better than the majority of the races last year,” Siegel told me and other reporters Friday morning. “I feel like the team has worked well together. I feel like the execution has actually been quite good, and the results have been just really poor. We have not matched kind of the way that I felt. It’s exciting to come here where we know we’ll be strong and just try to kind of get the results going and get some momentum building.” [INSIDE THE GARAGE: How Bad do Drivers Want to Beat Former Teammates?] How Is Mick Schumacher Doing? Former F1 driver Mick Schumacher sits last in the standings but he’s optimistic. He never got a chance to race at St. Pete after getting taken out on a first-lap crash. Phoenix was his first oval. And then he had a drive-through penalty for avoidable contact at Arlington. “Overall, I think that the results don’t really speak for the performance that we’ve shown,” Schumacher told me and other reporters Friday morning. Was There A Penalty From Arlington? Yes, INDYCAR explained on Wednesday afternoon that Kyffin Simpson would be penalized to the tail end of the lead lap for unavoidable contact on the restart before the one-lap dash to the finish March 15 at Arlington. Simpson finished 19th, as he was able to continue after the wreck, finishing ahead of Felix Rosenqvist. They ended up switching positions with Rosenqvist 19th and Simpson 20th. “I get it,” Simpson told me and other reporters on Friday morning. “The incident was my fault. I take responsibility for it, so I understand the penalty.” Will The Same Format As Arlington Be Used For Qualifying? No. The final round of the six fastest drivers will be a group session. INDYCAR experimented at Arlington by sending them out one at a time for one lap. The sanctioning body is still evaluating whether to use that format again. The issue at Arlington was because they went from slowest to fastest in the final round. The sixth-fastest driver from the previous round got to go out first and had more heat in his tires. Do they give an extra set of tires for use in the final round if they go single-car? Is it that big a benefit? The biggest benefit is that those drivers and teams get the attention for a couple of minutes with no other cars on the track. “[Those cars] should get exposure for that. … People talking about them, it creates this excitement, Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin told me and other reporters Friday morning. Are The Tire Rules The Same As Arlington? No. There are different tire-use rules on permanent road courses than on street courses. The rule for street courses is that teams must use at least two sets of soft tires (used or new) and at least one set of primary tires (used or new) during the race. The rule for road courses is that teams must use at least one set of new soft tires and at least one set of primary tires (used or new) during the race. What Else Should Fans Watch For? There will be tributes throughout the weekend to track founder George Barber, who died in February. He was 85. His passionate advocacy for INDYCAR and motorsports is seen throughout the course, which in some ways is one big tribute to him and his vision.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

With the NFL Draft less than a month away, it is the perfect time to delve into how team-builders around the league assign positional value across the board. As the NFL continues to trend toward a pass-centric approach, with franchise quarterbacks expected to carry their teams to victory, executives, scouts and coaches are building rosters focused on helping the QB1 spark a title run. As a former NFL player and scout, here is how I rank the importance of every position on the field in today’s game, which provides a blueprint for how I would build my roster. The value of the 25 positions is listed in descending order and each includes three notable examples of the best in the league. 25. Return Specialist The implementation of the dynamic kickoff has brought the return specialist back into prominence. Teams looking to upgrade their starting field position or boost their offensive output are willing to pour resources into the position to elevate the kicking game. Three of the best:Chimere Dike, Tennessee TitansKaVontae Turpin, Dallas CowboysKene Nwangwu, New York Jets 24. Punter The significant field position exchange on punts is often overlooked, but astute coaches will utilize this aspect of the kicking game to set their respective teams up for success. With directional kicking and ball placement, particularly inside the 10-yard line, coveted at a premium, the top punters are hot commodities on the open market. Three of the best:Logan Cooke, Jacksonville JaguarsTress Way, Washington CommandersJack Fox, Detroit Lions 23. Kicker The long-distance kicking boom has elevated the profile of placekickers. As valued point scorers, kickers have played a major role in the offensive explosion around the league. Three of the best:Brandon Aubrey, Dallas CowboysCam Little, Jacksonville JaguarsHarrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs 22. Wide Receiver 3 The third receiver on the field flies under the radar but is a big part of an explosive offense due to his ability to dominate matchups against slot cornerbacks, strong safeties and linebackers. As a designated gadget player on screens, fly sweeps and reverses, the WR3 typically has a small menu of plays on the call sheet designed to impact the game in pivotal moments. Three of the best:Josh Downs, Indianapolis ColtsRashid Shaheed, Seattle SeahawksParker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars 21. Nose Tackle The importance of stopping the run has diminished, but the presence of a hole-clogger with imposing size and strength in the middle of the defensive line remains a top priority for team-builders. If the super-sized run stopper can also push the pocket as an interior pass rusher, the defense can play at an elite level with a disruptive force at the point of attack. Three of the best:Dexter Lawrence, New York GiantsJordan Davis, Philadelphia EaglesByron Murphy II, Seattle Seahawks 20. Free Safety The increased utilization of split-safety defenses has minimized the free safety’s role as a deep middle defender, but top-notch safeties continue to impact the game as umbrella defenders. With deep defenders instructed to keep the ball in front of them and make their plays on tips or overthrown passes, the job description no longer prioritizes playmaking as it used to. Three of the best:Minkah Fitzpatrick, New York JetsJalen Ramsey, Pittsburgh SteelersKevin Byard, New England Patriots 19. Nickel Cornerback The Nickel, or “Star,” position features a collection of hybrid players utilizing a diverse set of skills to get the job done. Whether it is a cornerback aligned in the slot to lock down WR3s, while also enhancing the pass rush as a second-level blitzer, or a safety aligned in the box to match up with tight ends or act as an additional run defender, the slot corner position has become a key spot on a championship-caliber defense. Three of the best:Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore RavensKenny Moore II, Indianapolis ColtsNick Emmanwori, Seattle Seahawks 18. Right Guard Playing on the right side of the line is all about the production in the running game. Big, physical interior blockers with nimble feet are featured prominently on gap-scheme runs, with the guard instructed to down block or pull around the corner to nail second-level defenders on the run. Three of the best:Trey Smith, Kansas City ChiefsQuinn Meinerz, Denver BroncosChris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons 17. Left Guard The tone-setters for most offensive lines are positioned on the interior. While the list below features heavy-handed interior blockers with the size, strength and balance to bully defenders at the point of attack, the athleticism of a left guard enables teams to incorporate zone-based run calls to attack the perimeter from every angle. Three of the best:Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis ColtsJoe Thuney, Chicago BearsTyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys 16. Center Controlling the game from the middle of the line is the most important part of the center’s role. From making all the calls and adjustments at the line of scrimmage to stalemating the monstrous nose tackle, the center’s ability to win his matchup utilizing his brains and brawn is a big part of his team’s success. Three of the best:Creed Humphrey, Kansas City ChiefsAaron Brewer, Miami DolphinsTyler Linderbaum, Las Vegas Raiders 15. Right Cornerback As more offensive coordinators embrace a pass-heavy approach with quarterbacks and pass-catchers playing “pitch-and-catch” on the perimeter, defensive coaches are placing a greater value on blind-side cover guys. With right cornerbacks assigned to cover the “X” against 3×1 formations — isolating a corner against a receiver while the rest of the defense focuses on the three-receiver side — the position features blue-chip personnel on an elite defense. Three of the best:Patrick Surtain, Denver BroncosJaycee Horn, Carolina PanthersChristian Gonzalez, New England Patriots 14. Weak-side Linebacker The presence and impact of a disruptive linebacker with elite “hit, run and cover” skills is undervalued. Teams want to feature more dynamic, second-level athletes prominently in the blitz game and as a part of tricky coverages designed to cloud the picture for quarterbacks. Three of the best:Devin Lloyd, Carolina PanthersZack Baun, Philadelphia EaglesDre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers 13. Tight End The number of basketball-like athletes thriving at the tight end spot has changed how some offensive coordinators approach the game, particularly with multi-tight-end formations creating chaos for defensive playcallers across the league. By placing multiple big-bodied pass-catchers in run-heavy and bunch formations, offensive wizards are using athletic tight ends to dictate coverage matchups and create big-play opportunities in the passing game. Three of the best:Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders Trey McBride, Arizona CardinalsGeorge Kittle, San Francisco 49ers 12. Strong Safety The box-area defender has gained importance due to the emergence of the ultra-athletic pass-catching tight end down the seams and the dual-threat quarterback in the backfield. With the super-sized safeties possessing cornerback-like cover skills and “hit-stick” abilities like a linebacker, there is a reason more teams are utilizing various multi-safety personnel packages with the strong safety deployed near the box. Three of the best:Derwin James, Los Angeles ChargersKyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals 11. Mike Linebacker Despite the diminished role of the running game, defensive coordinators continue to prioritize high-IQ “MIKE” backers as essential parts of the defensive puzzle. With the middle linebacker expected to serve as the traffic cop and enforcer between the hashes, the job requires an athletic playmaker with hit, run and cover skills between the tackles. Three of the best:Roquan Smith, Baltimore RavensFred Warner, San Francisco 49ersCarson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns 10. Running Back The devaluation of the running back by some coaches and systems has flipped the league on its head, but astute offensive minds are creating and exploiting mismatches with their RB1. If the running back can put points on the board as a runner and receiver, he becomes a key chess piece for offensive coordinators to utilize in pivotal situations. Three of the best:Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ersBijan Robinson, Atlanta FalconsJahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions 9. Right Tackle As defensive coordinators began placing elite pass rushers at left defensive end/left outside linebacker to take advantage of heavy-footed right tackles, offensive gurus quickly adjusted by installing ultra-athletic pass blockers on the right side. Three of the best:Penei Sewell, Detroit LionsLane Johnson, Philadelphia EaglesJoe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers 8. Wide Receiver 2 Most offenses need a specialist to fill the role opposite the No. 1 receiver. Whether the WR2 is a speedster acting as the designated vertical threat or a chain mover expected to handle the dirty work between the hashes, the backside receiver is a valuable asset to the potent passing game. Three of the best:George Pickens, Dallas CowboysTee Higgins, Cincinnati BengalsDeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles 7. Designated Pass Rusher 2 The top defenses typically feature a Batman and Robin combination on the edges to share the pass-rushing duties. Though the sidekick lacks some of the elite pass-rushing tools of his partner, the best complementary rushers possess the speed or power to routinely win their one-on-one matchups when opponents send the protection to the DPR1’s side. Three of the best:Danielle Hunter, Houston TexansChase Young, New Orleans SaintsJared Verse, Los Angeles Rams 6. Defensive Tackle The presence of an interior pass rusher is an essential part of the defensive puzzle in a passing league. As more teams utilize various quick-rhythm throws to negate the outside pass rush, the presence of an athletic defensive tackle with pass-rush skills disrupts the quarterback’s play within the pocket. Three of the best:Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee TitansChris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles 5. Left Cornerback Facing a barrage of throws in his direction requires elite cover skills and a fighter’s mentality. Although some of the blue-chip corners will “travel” with the opponent’s No. 1 receiver, the traditional approach places the defense’s top cornerback on the left side. Three of the best:Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks Derek Stingley Jr., Houston TexansQuinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles 4. Wide Receiver 1 The NFL’s transformation to a passing league has made perimeter playmakers essential pieces to the championship puzzle. With WR1s capable of making their mark against loaded zones or double coverage, the presence of an elite pass-catcher makes life easier for the quarterback and the offense’s supporting cast. Three of the best:Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle SeahawksJa’Marr Chase, Cincinnati BengalsPuka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams 3. Left Tackle Finding an elite blindside protector is a top priority for team-builders with a franchise quarterback in the lineup. As the league continues to primarily feature right-handed passers, the left tackle spot remains one of the marquee positions on the team. Three of the best:Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay BuccaneersTrent Williams, San Francisco 49ersJordan Mailata, Philadelphia Eagles 2. Designated Pass Rusher 1 Knocking down the quarterback early and often is the top priority of defensive coordinators around the league. By disrupting the timing and rhythm of the passing game with their persistent pressure, blue-chip pass rushers can single-handedly destroy offensive game plans while protecting the rest of the defense. Three of the best:Myles Garrett, Cleveland BrownsAidan Hutchinson, Detroit LionsMicah Parsons, Green Bay Packers 1. Quarterback There is no disputing the impact of the quarterback’s play on the outcome of games. The elite quarterbacks not only tilt the field in their team’s favor, but they also have the ability to rescue their team with late-game heroics. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City ChiefsJosh Allen, Buffalo BillsMatthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Relief for Italy. Heartbreak for Ireland. And justification for 40-year-old players still creating epic moments. Thursday’s World Cup qualifying action had it all. The penultimate round of the UEFA playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (which will feature 48 teams this summer) was an absolute golazo fest with 26 goals in a full slate of matches. Only four of the eight teams that are still standing will book a spot in this summer’s tournament. Meanwhile, two other spots will be up for grabs between four teams (Jamaica, Bolivia, Iraq and DR Congo) in the intercontinental playoff. [WHEN AND WHERE: Full Schedule for 2026 FIFA World Cup] Before we look ahead to Tuesday’s matches, let’s take a look back at the best of the day in FOX Sports’ World Cup Roundup: Goal of the Day: Florent Muslija, Kosovo Kreshnik Hajrizi’s match-deciding goal might be the one that goes down in Kosovo history, but it would be a shame if Florent Muslija’s free kick got lost in the mix — what a goal. Assist of the Day: Arda Güler, Türkiye If Turkiye clinches its spot in the World Cup, you can expect to see a lot more of Real Madrid wonderkid Arda Guler. Güler didn’t make his way onto the score sheet on Thursday, but he did magnificently setup Ferdi Kadıoğlu’s match-winning goal. Best Vintage Performance: Edin Džeko, Bosnia and Herzegovina Edin Dzeko made his first and only appearance at the World Cup in 2014 with Bosnia and Herzegovina at the age of 28. Now 40 years old, Džeko is trying to will his country to its first appearance at the tournament since then, and he got off to a great start with a decisive goal in the semifinals. Save of the Day: Karl Darlow, Wales Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow can bow out of World Cup qualifying with his head held high. Not only did he save Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first attempt in Thursday’s penalty shootout, but he kept the match from ending in regulation with an outstanding save on the line. What’s Next? The 2026 World Cup European Playoffs will end on Tuesday, with four teams all vying for a spot in this summer’s tournament. Meanwhile, the two other spots will be up for grabs on Tuesday between four intercontinental nations (Bolivia, Iraq, DR Congo and Jamaica). Here is Tuesday’s full match schedule: The winner of this game will join Group B (co-hosts Canada, Qatar, Switzerland). The winner’s games will be played in Toronto (vs. Canada), Los Angeles (vs. Switzerland) and Seattle (vs. Qatar). The winner between Sweden and Poland will join the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in Group F. Those games will be played in Monterrey, Mexico (vs. Tunisia), Houston (vs. the Netherlands) and Arlington, Texas. (vs. Japan). The winner of the Türkiye-Kosovo match on Tuesday will join the USA, Paraguay and Australia in Group D. Those matches will be played in Vancouver (vs. Australia), Santa Clara, Calif. (vs. Paraguay) and Los Angeles (vs. the USA). The winner of the Denmark-Czechia match will join co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A at the World Cup. Those games will be played in Guadalajara (vs. South Korea), Atlanta (vs. South Africa) and Mexico City (vs. Mexico). The winner of the Iraq vs. Bolivia match will join France, Senegal and Norway in Group I. Those matches will be played in Foxborough, Mass. (vs. Norway), Philadelphia (vs. France) and Toronto (vs. Senegal). The winner of this match will join Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K. Matches will be played in Houston (vs. Portugal), Guadalajara (vs. Colombia) and Atlanta (vs. Uzbekistan.)​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The United States’ group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is nearly set. While the United States already knows it will play Paraguay and Australia in its first two matches at the tournament, its final opponent in Group D will be determined on Tuesday in the UEFA Patch C Playoff between Kosovo and Türkiye. [World Cup Qualifying: Italy, Türkiye Take Big Steps; Ireland Ousted] Kosovo booked its spot in the Patch C final with a 4-3 win against Slovakia at Tehelné pole on Thursday. Four different players scored for Kosovo in its win. Kosovo is ranked 77th in the world by FIFA. Türkiye advanced to a matchup with Kosovo by narrowly beating Romania 1-0 on Thursday at Tüpraş Stadium. Ferdi Kadıoğlu scored Türkiye’s lone goal. Türkiye has the second-highest FIFA ranking (23) of any country still in the UEFA Playoffs; only Denmark (20) is ranked higher. The UEFA Patch Playoff final will take place on Tuesday at 2:45 p.m. ET. The winner will clinch a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and compete in Group D with the United States, Paraguay and Australia.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

A big step forward was taken on Thursday for many countries to book their tickets to this summer’s World Cup. In the UEFA qualifiers, Turkiye and Italy advanced, while two matches went to penalty shootouts. Now, all eyes turn to Tuesday, which is when the final six spots will be booked. Here are the takeaways: 1. Türkiye takes care of Romania Of all the teams remaining in UEFA qualifying, Türkiye might be the one most other teams will want to avoid in the World Cup. Young playmakers Arda Guler (Real Madrid) and Kenan Yildiz (Juventus) power a young Turkish attack with veteran midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan) pulling the strings. Guler assisted the goal in Türkiye’s 1-0 win, which was scored by left back Ferdi Kadioglu (Brighton). Türkiye went 4-1-1 in UEFA qualifying and finds itself in the playoffs because it was paired with Spain, which won Euro 2024. If it progresses to the World Cup on Tuesday against Slovakia, Türkiye will join Group D at the World Cup with the United States, Australia and Paraguay. The Turks may be favored to win that group. 2. No Isak, no problem for Sweden Sweden qualified for this round because of its performance in the UEFA Nations League, during which it had two elite strikers in Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres. Isak is out because of injury for these matches, so it was Gyokeres’ time to shine – and he did. Gyokeres scored a hat trick against Ukraine, powering Sweden’s 3-0 win in Valencia, Spain. Sweden advanced in Path B of the UEFA playoffs to take on Poland next Tuesday with a trip to the World Cup on the line. It will be a great matchup of strikers with Gyokeres facing off against Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, who scored for Poland in its 2-1 win over Albania. 3. Italy moves closer to qualification Italy has failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, which is amazing after it won the Euro 2020 championship between two of the tournaments. There was a lot of tension entering these qualifying games, which saw the Italians take on Northern Ireland on Thursday. Manager Gennaro Gattuso’s team won 2-0 thanks to goals from midfielder Sandro Tonali (AC Milan) and striker Moise Kean (Fiorentina). Italy will take Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday. A loss would be devastating for Italy, which will be a heavy favorite to make the World Cup. 4. Extra-time drama in Cardiff and Prague Between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina, 40-year-old striker Edin Dzeko scored off a corner to level the score at 1-1 in the 86th minute. Winger Daniel James (Leeds United) had opened the scoring for Wales in the 51st minute. Bosnia and Herzegovina missed its first penalty but converted its next four, while Crystal Palace’s Brennan Johnson and Nottingham Forest’s Neco Williams missed their for Wales. In Prague, Ireland went up 2-0 in the first half. Czechia scored its first goal four minutes later before Czechia captain Ladislav Krejci (Wolves) equalized in the 86th. Ireland was up 3-2 after three attempts, but it missed two straight penalties while Czechia converted its last two attempts to advance.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

To their fans and many players around the league, the Dodgers are the blueprint, an ideal model of the success and synergy that’s possible when a willing ownership group supports an adept front office. To the 29 other fanbases, they represent a different kind of poster child, a quintessential example of everything wrong with the sport’s economic system and competitive imbalance. The narrative hasn’t changed as they embark on a new season, certainly not after adding the best free agent on the market and the best closer available to their championship core. Only now, they’re looking to become the first team in a quarter-century to win three World Series in a row. The pressure of that task does not appear to intimidate a veteran group that is already coming off of one triumphant title defense. “It’s going to be weird to say, but this year feels, to me, almost a little more relaxed,” Max Muncy told me last month, attributing the ease he felt this spring to the Dodgers’ normal build-up after starting the 2024 and 2025 seasons early in Seoul and Tokyo, respectively. “With that, you don’t even think about, ‘Oh, we’re trying to three-peat.’… You can’t focus on October yet. “Obviously we know that’s our goal, and we expect to be there, but you can’t go about your work with that in mind. You’ve got to go about your work thinking, ‘How am I getting better today? How are we getting better today as a team? What are we doing as a team today?’ That’s the message we’ve always tried to preach here.” Dave Roberts relayed similar thoughts to his group in February when the Dodgers reconvened for the first time as a full group this spring. On paper, he knows this is probably the best roster he has ever managed, no small feat for a team that has won three championships in the last six years and 12 division titles in the last 13 seasons. But Roberts, like Muncy, doesn’t feel any added pressure compared to recent years. In the midst of the Dodgers’ golden era, winning the World Series has become the annual expectation, and the Dodgers are returning all the core pieces from an experienced squad that already demonstrated its resolve last season. “I thought we did a very good job of keeping our eyes looking forward at our goal versus looking to the side and looking at who’s around us, who’s chasing us,” Roberts said. “Knowing you have a target — as we should if we’re the defending champions — but to still focus on yourselves and what’s forward, that’s what we do a good job of.” So the goal, and his message, remain largely the same. Had the Dodgers stood pat this offseason, they still would have been the favorites to win it all again in 2026. Instead, they targeted “needle-movers” and kept pushing, addressing the two biggest concerns on their roster by adding four-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker and three-time All-Star closer Edwin Diaz. Both could have signed a longer deal elsewhere, but both chose the Dodgers on lucrative shorter-term pacts. The three-year, $69 million deal for Díaz set a record for average annual value for a reliever. The staggering four-year, $240 million deal for Tucker set a record for present-day average annual value for any player. “We’ve built something really special around here,” said Freddie Freeman, “and everybody wants to be a part of it.” The Dodgers aren’t concerned about complacency, but the injection of new talent helps in that regard. – MLB Team-By-Team Season Preview- MVP? Cy Young? Making Our Picks- 30 MLB Breakout Stars for 2026 When Roberts gathered his team together for the first time in February, he discussed the 2025 championship run and the little things that got the Dodgers back to baseball’s apogee. Then he handed the floor to newcomers Tucker and Díaz, who shared their views of the Dodgers’ organization from the outside. “It was just more about what made the Dodgers attractive to them,” Roberts explained, “and I think it’s powerful for our guys to hear it from the other side, from somebody who hasn’t been here.” For Díaz, who has yet to make it to a World Series in his nine-year career, he felt this move gave him his best shot to win. For the Dodgers, this winter’s spending was just the latest example of their desire to cement their place atop the sport’s pedestal, regardless of the staggering cost, the tax penalties incurred or the simmering hostility around the league as they operate in a different financial stratosphere. “When you see your front office go out and add more guys, saying, ‘We’re not done,’ it just kind of creates a message of we have to keep winning,” Muncy said. “It’s very invigorating for the players to know the organization wants to keep winning. They’re not just set with one win. They want to keep going, and that creates a hunger in itself.” Building A Juggernaut The Dodgers have built their juggernaut, and become the envy and epicenter of the sport, for a multitude of reasons. They’ve chosen their long-term deals carefully, they’ve drafted and developed well internally and they’ve spent exorbitantly, using their many revenue streams to invest back into the product unlike any team before. The result is back-to-back World Series championships and a team that is the overwhelming favorite to win a third straight, something that hasn’t been done since the 1998-2000 Yankees. Prior to that, it was the 1972-74 Oakland Athletics. Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA standings project the Dodgers to win 103 games, nine more than the next closest team. FanGraphs gives the Dodgers a 19.7% chance to win the World Series, 10% higher than the next closest team. “You always have to have somebody that teams and fans enjoy disliking,” Roberts said, leaning into the villain role. “That’s good for fans and sports, I think. I was one of those guys that didn’t like the Yankees but saw their value to the sport, certainly…when you can get put in that vein of the Yankees of the ‘90s, you’re doing something right.” Whether or not the Dodgers win it all again, the acrimony felt by fans and owners of other teams is certain to bleed into the upcoming labor negotiations. Most of the players on those 29 other teams, however, don’t see any problem with the way the Dodgers operate. Last month, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. of the rival Padres both praised the way the Dodgers built their team. So did Bryce Harper, whose Phillies came up short against the Dodgers in last year’s NLDS. “They pay the money, they spend the money, they run their team like a business,” Harper said. “They run it the right way. They understand where they need to put their money into but also, people don’t look at this either, their draft and their development is unbelievable.” Those supporting pieces make it feel inevitable that the Dodgers could sleepwalk their way to the 2026 postseason, even with Blake Snell, Tommy Edman, Kiké Hernández and a plethora of talented relievers starting the season on the injured list and Roki Sasaki coming off an ominous spring. For most teams, those obstacles could derail a season. The Dodgers, however, are not most teams. They’ve built a roster seemingly deep enough to provide an answer for any problem that might arise. And yet, despite the fan vitriol, they are not an indomitable force. Getting to the playoffs hasn’t and shouldn’t be a problem. Once there, though, they know that nothing is guaranteed. In 2024, the Padres had two chances to knock off their rivals in the NLDS and came up short both times, despite the Dodgers needing to patch together bullpen games to survive the gauntlet. The Dodgers have harkened back to that series victory as a turning point for the franchise. In 2025, the additions of Snell and Tanner Scott seemingly pushed them to heights unseen. Many projected them to shatter the all-time wins record. Instead, they won 93 games, their fewest in a full season since 2018. They treated the regular season like a dress rehearsal, carefully handling their pitching staff so their best arms could be available when needed most at season’s end. And still, they needed to use their starters in relief to survive October. The Blue Jays came two outs away from conquering Goliath before falling victim to an unlikely protagonist. It was Miguel Rojas, not Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts or Freeman, who was the Game 7 hero with a game-tying, series-altering, life-changing home run. “I waited 20 years in professional baseball to have that moment, and it happens to me at the end of my career,” Rojas said last month. “In Italy, I’m walking around Rome and I’m seeing Dodgers fans over there saying, ‘Thank you for hitting that home run.’ It’s crazy. It’s overwhelming.” The ninth-inning blast from Rojas, who had just one home run the final two months of the season, and a back-and-forth World Series for the ages demonstrated the unpredictability of postseason baseball. The result made the target on the Dodgers’ back even bigger entering 2026. “It’s a challenge, but it’s something we get to look forward to,” Muncy said. “We get to embrace it. That’s what makes it fun.” In Touching Base, we check on which are the biggest topics in baseball and what comes next for the players and teams involved.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

By next Tuesday, all 48 spots in the 2026 World Cup – the largest edition in tournament history – will be filled. Until then, there’s a lot of important soccer happening around the world.  In UEFA (Europe’s soccer confederation), four World Cup spots are still up for grabs. After Thursday’s round of action, we’ll now know who will take those spots next Tuesday: – Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Italy – Sweden vs. Poland- Kosovo vs. Türkiye- Czechia vs. Denmark Elsewhere, six nations from across different soccer confederations are vying for two spots in separate three-team tournaments being held in Mexico. Two teams will emerge on Tuesday and book spots for the World Cup. That bracket is: Bolivia vs. IraqNew Caledonia/Jamaica vs. DR Congo Before we get set for those games on Tuesday, we’re recapping all of Thursday’s action: JUMP TO: UEFA Path A | UEFA Path B | UEFA Path C | UEFA Path D | Intercontinental Playoff UEFA Path A: Italy On Cusp of World Cup Spot It’s inexplicable that a country with such a rich soccer heritage and which has won four World Cup titles has not reached soccer’s biggest stage since 2014. Surely Italy won’t miss yet another tournament, right? Well, the Azzurri took a step in the right direction by beating Northern Ireland in Bergamo. Sandro Tonali broke the deadlock with a half-volley early in the second half for Italy at home in Bergamo and then set up another goal for Moise Kean. They will now have to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina (who outlasted Wales on penalties) for a spot in the World Cup – where they’ll join Group B (co-hosts Canada, Qatar, Switzerland). The winner’s games will be played in Toronto (vs. Canada), Los Angeles (vs. Switzerland) and Seattle (vs. Qatar). “After taking the lead, we cleared our minds,” Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said. “We put in a good performance. This should be a confidence boost for Tuesday. … We have to win. We have no other choice.” Bosnia advanced after 40-year-old Edin Dzeko leveled the score and 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic converted the winning spot-kick in a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Wales following a 1-1 draw. Path B: Sweden’s Gyökeres Hits Hat Trick – Next Up? Poland A hat trick by Viktor Gyökeres saw Sweden handle Ukraine and take another step closer towards the World Cup. The Swedes will next face Poland, who defeated Albania. The winner between Sweden and Poland will join the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in Group F. Those games will be played in Monterrey, Mexico (vs. Tunisia), Houston (vs. the Netherlands) and Arlington, Tex. (vs. Japan). Gyökeres took center stage as the Arsenal playmaker shined despite having not scored for his country since 2024. Ukraine, who had a consolation goal by Matviy Ponomarenko. Poland had to rally past the Albanians, who took an initial lead by Arber Hoxha in the first half. But Poland equalized after 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski scored a crucial header, followed by Piotr Zielinski’s goal that put Poland in front. The win also kept Lewandowski’s (who plays at Barcelona) hopes of playing in a third World Cup. UEFA Path C: Türkiye, Kosovo Advance; Winner Joins USA’s Group We’re closer to getting the full picture of who will join the USA’s World Cup group. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler set up Ferdi Kadioglu’s goal as Türkiye took down Romania to give them another step toward advancing to the World Cup. Türkiye will next take on Kosovo, who outlasted Slovakia in a seven-goal thriller. The winner of the Türkiye-Kosovo match on Tuesday will join the USA, Paraguay and Australia in Group D. Those matches will be played in Vancouver (vs. Australia), Santa Clara, Calif. (vs. Paraguay) and Los Angeles (vs. the USA). Romania’s elimination means that 80-year-old Mircea Lucescu won’t get a chance to coach at the World Cup for the first time. Lucescu captained Romania at the 1970 World Cup. He previously coached Türkiye. Nicolae Stanciu hit the post in the second half in Istanbul, but Romania couldn’t muster the equalizer. “We knew it would be a tough match. Lucescu knows us well and prepared accordingly,” Türkiye captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu said. “In the first half, we could have made better runs in behind. In the second half, Ferdi scored with a ball in behind and it became 1-0. From then, it was ours.” As for Kosovo, the team is one game away from its first-ever World Cup after twice recovering from a goal down to upset Slovakia 4-3. – Countdown of the Top 100 Moments in World Cup History- 2026 World Cup Groups: Full Results From Draw Path D: Denmark Throttles North Macedonia; Ireland Heartbreak Denmark had no trouble with North Macedonia as Gustav Isaksen scored twice in two minutes in Denmark’s 4-0 win. The Danes will now take on Czechia, who needed penalties to oust Ireland. The winner of the Denmark-Czechia match will join co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A at the World Cup. Those games will be played in Guadalajara (vs. South Korea), Atlanta (vs. South Africa) and Mexico City (vs. Mexico). It’s a heartbreaking loss for the Irish, who had reached this stage thanks to some late-game heroics from Troy Parrott during the previous qualifying phase. Instead, it is the Czechs who are moving on. Ireland gave up an early 2-0 lead in the game, and was also leading the shootout before failing to convert either of its last two attempts. Intercontinental Playoff Games Outside of Europe, a mini-tournament between six nations is being held in Mexico to decide two World Cup spots. Bolivia took care of Suriname to advance to Tuesday’s match against Iraq. The winner of that game will join France, Senegal and Norway in Group I. Those matches will be played in Foxborough, Mass. (vs. Norway), Philadelphia (vs. France) and Toronto (vs. Senegal). In the other bracket, the winner of the DR Congo vs. New Caledonia/Jamaica match will join Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K. Matches will be played in Houston (vs. Portugal), Guadalajara (vs. Colombia) and Atlanta (vs. Uzbekistan.)​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Paul Skenes’ first start of the 2026 season might not have even lasted a New York minute. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ ace surrendered five runs in his Opening Day start against the New York Mets, and was pulled after pitching just ⅔ of an inning. All five runs were earned, with the Mets logging four hits and two walks off Skenes before he drilled catcher Francisco Alvarez. Skenes also recorded a strikeout. Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor began the inning with a walk before star outfielder Juan Soto moved him to third on a single in the following at-bat. Third baseman Bo Bichette scored Lindor on a sacrifice fly in his first at-bat with the Mets. A single by first baseman Jorge Polanco and a walk from outfielder Luis Robert Jr. allowed the Mets to load the bases with just one out against Skenes. That’s where Skenes’ day quickly unraveled, with Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz making a pair of mistakes to make matters worse for the reigning NL Cy Young winner. Designated hitter Brett Baty hit a bases-clearing triple that might have been caught by Cruz had he not misplayed the ball off the bat. On the very next pitch, second baseman Marcus Semien hit a pop fly that should’ve been caught by Cruz, but dropped in the gap. New York took a 5-2 lead by that point, negating the early lead Pittsburgh took off a two-run homer from Brandon Lowe in his first at-bat with the Pirates. While Skenes was able to strike out right fielder Carson Benge in the following at-bat, his day ended after he plunked Alvarez. Skenes threw 37 pitches in the first inning before getting pulled. Thursday marked the shortest outing of Skenes’ young career, and just the second time he allowed five earned runs in an outing. It’s also the first time that the Mets have scored more than three runs in the first inning on Opening Day in franchise history. Skenes’ outing came on the heels of his impressive showing for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic. The righty allowed just one run in 8 ⅓ innings over two outings during the tournament. But Pirates manager Don Kelly expressed that he wanted to limit Skenes’ usage after things went south in the first inning. “It was all pitch count related, really, for him,” Kelly told the NBC broadcast. “We didn’t want to put him in harm’s way, up in the 40-pitch count mark. If we get in a foul ball battle there, we don’t want to push him in the mid-40s [in the first inning].” The Mets wound up pulling away from the Pirates to win 11-7. Lowe hit his second homer of the day for the Pirates, but the Mets’ new-look lineup was too much for the Pirates to overcome. Benge and Alvarez hit back-to-back home runs, while Robert had two RBI singles in his Mets debut.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

A minute before halftime of the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic last weekend, Team USA’s Velton Brown Jr. caught a pass just past midfield. He surveyed the open field around him and scanned the defense. Then he accelerated. As Team Wildcats’ Luke Kuechly tried to pull one of his flags from behind, Brown contorted his body mid-sprint to make the Hall of Fame linebacker miss. When veteran NFL receiver DeAndre Hopkins lunged toward him by the sideline, Brown niftily jumped backward to avoid his arm. Then, with both Kuechly and Hopkins in front of him, Brown started a series of jukes. He slipped between them. Still, they couldn’t pull his flag. Brown’s dazzling array of moves finally ended at the 7-yard line, where his right knee touched the ground. But the viral highlight on Saturday — on top of Team USA’s dominance of current and former NFL stars throughout the day — encapsulated the message that the flag players hoped to send. Team USA went 3-0 to win Saturday’s round-robin tournament in Los Angeles, scoring on every possession except a kneel-down at the end of one victory. “I think truly that guys understand that flag football is its own sport,” Darrell “Housh” Doucette, a Team USA flag national team member since 2021 and MVP of Saturday’s tournament, told me. “We are in our own lane.” The flag players were noticeably smaller and quicker than their NFL counterparts. Their shiftiness often made their opponents look silly. But the biggest takeaway was the flag players’ mastery of their sport, prompting discussion about what it would take for NFL players to challenge for spots on the U.S. flag team that will compete in the 2028 Olympics, when flag football will make its Olympic debut. [4 Takeaways From Fanatics Flag Football Classic] As a discipline of football, the flag game’s similarities to tackle football are clear. The ball looks the same. The ability to throw, catch and cover translates. Speed, athleticism and versatility matter, too. But flag football is a faster game than tackle football. It’s played on a much smaller field (50 yards long between the end zones, 25 yards wide). Receivers have to run routes differently in a smaller space. For quarterbacks, the clock in their head is sped up because the rush gets to them a lot faster than what they’re accustomed to. The non-contact component of flag is “obviously a glaring one” for NFL players, according to former NFL assistant coach Callie Brownson, USA Football’s senior director of high performance and national team operations. “I think when we say non-contact, everybody just automatically goes to tackling, which obviously is very true. You can’t tackle in a 5-on-5 game. But what also falls under that category of non-contact that people don’t give enough credit to is, for example, you can’t hold somebody up while you’re trying to pull their flag,” Brownson told me. “You can’t initiate any sort of contact with a player at the top of the route. You can’t run through a player in order to make a play on the ball. You can’t shield or block or post anybody up. Non-contact is actually a little more complex than just the tackling component. “Then the other piece is flag-pulling,” she added. “It’s a super, super unique skill that I don’t think enough people appreciate until they go through that process. You’re not just pulling a stationary flag. As you saw on Saturday, these are unique, dynamic movements that these ball carriers are making. The plane and the level of the flag is changing. The axis of the flag is changing on a dime. Flag-pulling is a super unique skill that’s particular to our sport. It [requires] a certain type of hand-eye coordination that has to be trained over time.” Brown, the cousin of Detroit Lions star safety Kerby Joseph, played high school and semi-pro football before getting involved with flag football. He says there was an acclimation process to learning the nuances of flag. “A lot of people are used to the blocks,” Brown told me. “A lot of people are used to the heavy hits and things like that, but flag consists of more finesse, more IQ to where it’s a smaller field. “You don’t necessarily get to read a hole like a running back. It’s a totally different game,” he added. “Maybe a guy is trying to pull your flag and you may stiff-arm just because that’s the natural instinct of what you’re used to. That was kind of the adjustment for me, learning how to keep my hands up and not to necessarily want to jam somebody or slap the ball out of their hands, things like that.” Team USA member Isaiah Calhoun, who had a pick-six off Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, places a higher emphasis on smarts than athleticism in flag football. “If you just athletic and not smart, you’re not going to know what to do. But if you’re smart and add your athleticism to the game, then you’re going to be one of the best players in the world or one of the most known players in the world,” Calhoun told me. “You have to learn from various people that have been playing for a long time before you get on the field. If you just get on the field and not know what to do, you’re going to be embarrassed out there.” While it’s clear that there will be a learning curve for them to master flag football, NFL players remain on track to participate in the sport at the 2028 Olympics. Last May, NFL owners approved a resolution permitting it, though specifics of their participation must still be finalized with the NFL Players Association and relevant Olympic authorities. Doucette, Brown and Calhoun don’t see a problem with NFL players challenging for roster spots on the flag team. They view their involvement as part of their sport’s growth. “When [NFL players] step on the flag football field and they’re competing with us, they’re not NFL guys in my eyes,” Doucette told me. “We all feel that we are one, we are equal and we are all flag football players at that time. And if they study the game and they’re willing to take the time out of their busy schedule and to come out and learn it, hey, man, hats off to them. Come out and be great, because now you’re a part of our community and we accept you with open arms, the same way they accepted us as peers over the past weekend. “We are the USA national team, but the USA national team also gives open invites to guys to come out and make the team better,” Doucette added. “And if you say, OK, 10 [NFL] guys would be better suited for the game, and they go out there and win gold, you can’t blame them for putting out the 10 best guys. And I think that’s what it’s all about.” Brownson said that “time on task” is the biggest thing that NFL players need with flag football. Athletes in basketball, soccer and track & field have also found success in the sport due to transferable skills, she said. “What you see sometimes in the tackle [football] world, a player has a predominant position in college and they get drafted and have to do something else at the NFL level. It’s no different than that in the sense that it takes reps and it takes time [to master flag football],” Brownson told me. “It’s specific to each player on how quickly they pick things up or how much practice they need. “There’s no really true, ‘Hey, here’s how much time it takes for you to be a great flag-puller.’ It’s unique to the player. But I’d say, holistically speaking, it’s time on task just like anything else to be able to build instincts that are applicable to flag.” Team USA came out of the Fanatics event feeling like the NFL and celebrity players acknowledged the time they have put into their sport. “It was just like, ‘We understand why y’all do this,’” Doucette said of the conversations that transpired. “‘People look at y’all size, but they don’t understand how twitchy you guys are, how fast and how quick y’all can break down, whether it’s stopping on the dime or dropping low to dip through defenders.’ “Those guys really had the utmost respect for us,” he added. “A big salute to those guys for accepting us.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports