Argentine President Javier Milei said on Thursday he won’t be attending the World Cup final because of superstition, instead choosing to view Sunday’s match between Spain and Argentina from home — where he has watched the defending champion’s previous seven games, all victories, in the tournament.

In a bid to help his nation’s beloved soccer team secure its second consecutive title, Milei added, he’ll be wearing the same heavy jacket, too.

Fans and players around the world cling to superstitions they believe can bring good luck to their team — or misfortune to their opponents. But in Latin America, and particularly in Argentina, so-called “cábalas,” or ritualistic beliefs and habits, carry unusual weight, reflecting the intensity with which many here watch their national team.

When asked Thursday whether he’d travel to New Jersey for Sunday’s game to watch alongside his close ally U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, as was widely expected, Milei replied, “No way.”

“I’m going to keep watching all the games from Olivos,” he told a local Buenos Aires radio station, El Observador, referring to his presidential residence.

The journalist asked if he’s staying home for superstitious reasons. Milei said yes, going on to explain another of his rituals: “Since it’s cold and I don’t turn on the heat, I wear an oil company-branded jacket. The day of the Switzerland game, it made me really hot. I took it off, and they scored a goal against us. I put it back on and never took it off again.”

Like Milei, most Argentines have cábalas that require they stick to the exact same routine if the team is winning. Some wear the same clothes during every match, refusing to wash their jerseys for the duration of the World Cup. Some watch each game in the same spot — or are not allowed to watch at all, as can be the case with those who happen to be in the bathroom when Argentina scores.

Argentina Related Stories

The smallest actions take on extraordinary meaning. In one widely shared video from this World Cup, a group of fans began reading from the Bible just as Argentina started scoring against Egypt, obliging them to repeat the ritual at every match since. One common ritual to impact the rival team involves freezing figurines of players or pieces of paper with opponents’ names on them.

Argentine presidents have long been cautious about attending high-stakes World Cup matches to avoid bringing bad luck to their teams. The superstition dates back to the 1990 tournament, when then-President Carlos Menem visited the Argentine squad right before it suffered a stunning opening loss to Cameroon.

Menem was branded a “mufa,” a jinx. No sitting Argentine president is known to have attended a national team match since. There is no such superstition on Spain’s side, however: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez plans to attend Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina, his office said Friday, and Spanish King Felipe VI is also expected to watch the game in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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In Driver’s Eye with James Hinchcliffe, the six-time INDYCAR winner will bring you inside the mind of a racer while breaking down the nuts and bolts of the sport for fans.

After back-to-back road course races, INDYCAR switches gears again this weekend in Nashville, heading to the tricky concrete superspeedway oval just outside the Music City. McLaren dominated the last stretch of road-course races with Christian Lungaard and Pato O’Ward taking a win apiece.

But heading back to an oval means all eyes are on one man this weekend: Josef Newgarden.

The Team Penske front man has put up an absolute masterclass on ovals since very early in his career. Lately, however, it’s been on another level. 

Newgarden’s last 11 INDYCAR wins have been on ovals, including his two victories so far this season at Phoenix Raceway and Gateway (a.k.a. World Wide Technology Raceway). His last non-oval victory was at Road America back in 2022 — of course, not counting St. Petersburg 2024 when he was DQ’d after crossing the finish line first on track.

In the span of those 11 oval wins, there have been 27 oval races, meaning Newgarden has a win rate higher than 40% on this type of track. That is quite simply astounding in the most competitive era of the sport.

His oval prowess was evident from his first days in the series. He had strong showings at the Indianapolis 500 from his rookie season, and he took his first of many wins at Iowa Speedway in the predecessor to the current ECR squad back in 2015.

That checkered flag opened the floodgates for Newgarden on ovals.

2016 Iowa Speedway winner Josef Newgarden poses with fans after the Iowa Corn 300. (Icon Sportswire)

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It is interesting — despite them being the same cars week in and week out — how different the skillsets can be for success racing on ovals vs. street courses vs. road courses.

Oval racing requires such a unique feel and understanding of the car, what it wants and how to drive it. This was something Newgarden figured out quickly and to devastating effect.

On an oval, the speeds are significantly higher, so the inputs are so much smaller. If you’re driving your road car at 10 miles an hour, a big swerve of the steering wheel doesn’t upset things too much. Do that same input at 70 miles an hour, and you’re barrel rolling into a ditch. That same concept applies in INDYCAR.

At the speeds we see on ovals, you have to recalibrate your senses to feel the smallest and most subtle feedback markers the car is giving you. You crank up your sensitivity to the feedback from the car and pull way back on the severity of the inputs you respond with. 

It’s not easy and it’s not natural. It’s a talent that has to be refined. Josef has an uncanny ability to feel what his race car is telling him. Combine that with an astute understanding of what the car needs to be fast, and it makes him almost unstoppable.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 27: Josef Newgarden, driver of the #2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske, poses for a photo during the 108th Indianapolis 500 champion’s portraits at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

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Another key to success on ovals is trusting the car. 

Josef is piloting a machine bolted together by some of the best in the business. He and his engineers work tirelessly on perfecting the setup. When he straps in on Sunday, he has limitless trust in the car’s and his team’s capabilities, which gives him the kind of confidence that makes you devastatingly quick.

But speed isn’t the only key to oval racing. The race craft — where to put your race car and when, how to set up passes laps in advance, exploring the grip in different and non-conventional lanes — has to be honed, too. 

And this may be where Newgarden’s true advantage lies. 

He doesn’t always qualify up front on ovals. But after three-quarters of a race, you can be sure that not only is he up in the fight for the win, but he’s also spent every second up to that point carefully tuning his car to be what he needs it to be to beat you at the end.

When a driver has that kind of speed on a certain type of track, beating them there feels so much more satisfying. 

I was able to out-duel Newgarden at Iowa Speedway — a track he’s won at more than anyone else — back in 2018, and it remains one of the sweetest victories.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE FAST: NASHVILLE

INDYCAR takes on Nashville Superspeedway this weekend, and this is a very different oval compared with others we’ve raced on so far in 2026.

Phoenix Raceway and Gateway are short ovals, while Indianapolis Motor Speedway is longer as a 2.5-mile superspeedway. 

(Chris Owens, Penske Entertainment)

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At 1.33 miles, Nashville is unique not only in its length, but also because of its surface. Concrete instead of asphalt means the tires react differently here than they do on other ovals, so setups from one oval track don’t necessarily translate to another seamlessly.

That element makes it tough and crucial for the engineers to get on top of how to create the most mechanical grip possible. Dampers, spring packages and suspension geometries will be the name of the game. 

From there, it’s up to the drivers to figure out where the biggest bumps are — and in Nashville there are plenty — so they know what to avoid when trying to make a pass.

(Joe Skibinski, Penske Entertainment)

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You have to work hard in practice to run up on the high line and get comfortable being up there to have any shot at winning on Sunday. That’s where guys like Christian Rasmussen, Santino Ferrucci and Marcus Ericsson usually shine. 

But don’t count out the other two Penske drivers in Scott McLaughlin and David Malukas — one with short oval wins on his resume and the other with that first INDYCAR win in his sights. Or maybe the McLaren train will keep chugging down the tracks. 

In the two years since we moved this race from the streets of downtown to the superspeedway outside the city, O’Ward has led more laps than anyone, and he was leading comfortably last year before a blown tire took him out of contention and paved the way for, you guessed it, Newgarden to steal a popular hometown win.

Some drivers prefer ovals, some road courses, some the streets. Yes, results play a part in that, but so does the feeling you get when driving them. 

I loved racing in INDYCAR specifically because there were all these different types of tracks to race on, and they all challenge, reward and punish you in different ways.

While some drivers will be rubbing their hands together salivating because we’re back on an oval, and others will be wishing the road course streak was continuing, I always felt that whatever type of track I was driving into on a Thursday was, well, my favorite type of track!

And that is one of many reasons I love INDYCAR racing!

MORE DRIVER’S EYE:

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It’s safe to say that the 2026 World Cup was an excellent platform for young players to shine under the brightest of spotlights.

Many of these players laid the foundation to be dominant figures in the international game for years to come. Here are the 10 best players ages 21 and younger from the 2026 World Cup:

Age: 18

Position: Central midfielder

Club: Lille

Ayyoub Bouaddi is one of the key reasons behind Morocco’s rise in international soccer. Born and raised in France, Bouaddi previously represented French youth teams but made the switch to represent Morocco shortly before the World Cup. Bouaddi has already impressed at the club level with Lille since he was 16.

One of his career highlights was starting in a win over Real Madrid in the Champions League on his 17th birthday. At the World Cup, he impressed and helped Morocco control the midfield in a 1-1 draw with Brazil. He is likely soon to be transferred to a top club for an enormous sum. For Morocco, he will ensure the Atlas Lions are a top team for years to come. 

Age: 19

Position: Central defense

Club: Barcelona

Most fans knew of Cubarsí heading into this tournament after the 19-year-old anchored Barcelona’s backline to the LaLiga title. But this World Cup has put Cubarsí on the brink of becoming a global superstar. 

Entering the final, Spain conceded just one goal and Cubarsí has been a huge part of that. Despite being a teenager, he might be the best central defender in the world. 

Age: 19

Position: Winger

Club: RB Leipzig

After a stellar club season with RB Leipzig where he was named the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season and is now reportedly nearing a move to Paris Saint-Germain, expectations were very high for Diomande heading into this tournament. 

He did not score and only had one assist in a win over Curaçao. But there were plenty of times his elite dribbling was on display, and it helped to open the game up for his teammates. In particular, he was explosive in the Ivory Coast’s win over Ecuador and was dangerous in the narrow loss to Germany. 

Age: 21

Position: Winger

Club: Paris Saint-Germain

Doué is one of the many top young French players to move from the 2024 Olympic team and into the 2026 World Cup team. He has won Ligue 1’s Young Player of the Year twice and has won the UEFA Champions League twice. He has also won the award for the top young player in both the Champions League and the Club World Cup. 

At this World Cup, he played well in the wins over Senegal, Norway, Paraguay, and Morocco to live up to what is already a remarkable résumé of a player of his age. He scored in France’s win over Norway and then assisted on the opening goal in the win over Morocco. 

Age: 21

Position: Attacking midfielder

Club: Freiburg

Aside from the first game, Switzerland was very good in this World Cup. If Johan Manzambi was healthy and able to play against Argentina, it might have been a different tournament entirely. Unfortunately for Switzerland, Manzambi was injured just before the Colombia game in the round of 16 and did not play in the final two games. 

But what Manzambi showed against Bosnia & Herzegovina, Canada, and Algeria was enough to easily make him one of the top young players of the tournament with three goals and two assists in those three games. Manzambi can play every position in the attack, and he combines elite athleticism with a high level of skill that makes him tough to defend. He is rumored to be joining Newcastle United in the near future. 

Age: 17

Position: Attacking midfielder

Club: Club Tijuana

Although it did not advance to the quarterfinals, Mexico enjoyed many positives from this World Cup. It won its group convincingly and then easily defeated Ecuador in the round of 32, and it was not until its dramatic 3-2 loss to England that it finally conceded a goal. 

But the arrival of Gilberto Mora on the international stage was perhaps the biggest positive for El Tri as Mora was outstanding as he started Mexico’s last three games. He handled the pressure well of starting knockout games at home and at times was leading his team’s attack.

Club Tijuana has a very valuable player on their hands. It will be interesting to see Mora’s next steps. 

Age: 21

Position: Winger

Club: RB Leipzig

Everything Norway wants to do in the attack revolves around finding ways to get Erling Haaland the ball. That typically happens through the team’s wingers and, fortunately for Norway, Antonio Nusa has developed a solid chemistry with Haaland that will only continue to pay dividends into Euro 2028 and the next World Cup.

Nusa was contained in the quarterfinal loss to England, but he was key to the team’s success earlier in the tournament. In the 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast in the round of 32, Nusa scored an important goal.

Age: 21

Position: Left back

Club: Manchester City 

O’Reilly started five of England’s games at this World Cup, which were the ones that the Three Lions won. He plays the fullback position in a very modern way, which requires a lot of athleticism to both defend well and push aggressively into the attack. His absence from the starting lineup against Argentina was surprising, but he will be an important part of the team for years to come. 

As a starter with Manchester City, he has now played well in the World Cup, in the Champions League, and in the Premier League to make him one of the top left backs in the world. 

Age: 21

Position: Right back, central defender

Club: Villarreal

Just 18 months ago, Alex Freeman was a second team player with Orlando City in MLS with no national team experience and limited history at U.S. youth national teams. Since then, he became one of the league’s best defenders, earned a transfer to Villarreal, and became a lock starter with the full national team. 

At this World Cup, Freeman offered head coach Mauricio Pochettino a lot of tactical flexibility with his ability to defend and move into the attack. His elite athleticism was on display at several moments, and he even scored an important goal in the win over Australia. 

Age: 19

Position: Winger

Club: Barcelona

As a runner-up to the Ballon d’Or in 2025, Yamal is the most exciting young attacking player in the world. Entering Sunday’s final, Yamal has just one goal in this tournament, but he has been instrumental in opening the game and making Spain’s attack more dangerous. Against France, he drew a penalty and helped in the build-up to the team’s second goal. He fits Luis de la Fuente’s system beautifully. 

Honorable Mentions

Rayan (Brazil)

João Neves (Portugal)

Lucas Herrington (Australia)

Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal)

Mbekezeli Mbokazi (South Africa)

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The World Cup Final is almost here. Spain and Argentina will meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, July 19 at 3 p.m. ET from New York New Jersey Stadium.

How to Watch World Cup Final

• When: Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET
• Where: New York New Jersey Stadium, New York New Jersey
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One, FOX Sports

Spain’s Road to the World Cup Final

Spain opened the group stage with a scoreless draw against Cape Verde, then won six straight to reach the final. It routed Austria, 3-0, in the round of 32, then beat Portugal, 1-0, in the round of 16 to send Cristiano Ronaldo home. Spain finally conceded in the quarterfinals, but Mikel Merino scored his second straight winning goal in a 2-1 win over Belgium, the only goal Spain has allowed all tournament.

World Cup Related Stories

Argentina’s Road to the World Cup Final

Argentina carried a perfect record into the final, though nothing about the defending champions’ run has been easy. It opened Group J with routs of Algeria and Austria before capping the group stage with a 3-1 win over Jordan. From there, Argentina needed extra time three straight times: a 3-2 win over Cape Verde in the round of 32, a 3-2 win over Egypt in the round of 16, and a 3-1 win over Switzerland in the quarterfinals. It punched its ticket to the final by beating England, 2-1, in Wednesday’s semifinal.

Spain vs Argentina World Cup Final: The bet you CANNOT miss

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Spain vs. Argentina bets, Messi vs. Yamal, plus MLB, NFL & CFB picks with The Bear & crew.

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Polymarket’s promo code FOX gives users a $50 bonus as baseball’s biggest power hitters take center stage during All-Star Week. 

Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper headline the event in front of the home crowd. Do these two teammates have an advantage in front of the home crowd?

Junior Caminero finished second in last year’s Derby. Can the Rays’ slugger get the job done this year? Caminero has blasted 13 home runs in his last 19 games coming into their All-Star break.

The Yankees have a new participant in the Derby with Ben Rice, who has 29 home runs on the year (3rd best in MLB). Jordan Walker, Munetaka Murakami, Willson Contreras, and Jac Caglianone fill out the rest of the field.

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Home Run Derby Winner

Kyle Schwarber	23%	22.9¢	77.2¢
Junior Caminero	20%	20¢	81¢
Munetaka Murakami	13%	13¢	88¢
Jordan Walker	12%	11.6¢	88.5¢
Jac Caglianone	12%	12¢	89¢
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New Home Run Derby Format

• No timer and no “outs”
• Round 1: 20 swings
• Round 2: 15 swings
• Finals: 15 swings
• Each swing counts toward a player’s allotment, homer or not
• If you homer on your last swing in any round, you keep going until you do not homer
• There is no bonus round and there is no “bracket” for the first round
• Tiebreakers: HR Distance (Round 1); three-swing swing-offs (Rounds 2 and 3)

Home Run Derby Players Season HRs

• Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies) – 32 HRs
• Ben Rice (New York Yankees) – 29 HRs
• Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays) – 28 HRs
• Jordan Walker (St. Louis Cardinals) – 22 HRs
• Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies) – 20 HRs
• Willson Contreras (Boston Red Sox) – 20 HRs
• Munetaka Murakami (Chicago White Sox) – 20 HRs
• Jac Caglianone (Kansas City Royals) – 15 HRs

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Some of the game’s top sluggers will step to the plate Monday night at the Home Run Derby in Philadelphia, but no one in the competition has hit as many home runs as one of the photographers who will be shooting the event. 

Ken Griffey Jr., one of nine Major League Baseball players in the 600-homer club and the only three-time winner of the Home Run Derby, is a man of many talents and interests. The Hall of Famer is a part owner and special consultant for the Seattle Mariners. He has served as a senior advisor to Commissioner Rob Manfred since 2001, focusing on youth baseball development. He’s also a pilot who has logged 700 hours of flight time. 

Most recently, though, you might have seen him at some of sports’ most prestigious events — from the World Series to the Indianapolis 500 to The Masters and more — not as a fan, but as a credentialed photographer. 

Earlier this year, Griffey was a global ambassador for the World Baseball Classic and also shot the international event. This week, he’ll be back behind the camera again. 

Ken Griffey Jr. works from the photo well during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park in Houston. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images)

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Griffey, who is also Deer Park Spring Water’s “CEO of H20,” helped unveil a mural on Saturday by Philadelphia-based artist Paul Carpenter, in partnership with the official water of Major League Baseball. Two days later, he will be photographing the Home Run Derby on Monday night at Citizens Bank Park. 

Before the All-Star week festivities began, I caught up with the 13-time All-Star and Mariners legend on a rainy Saturday in Philadelphia to talk about his photography journey, his thoughts on the state of the game, the players he enjoys watching most and more. 

(Note: Some questions and answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.) 

Sorry the weather in Philadelphia doesn’t seem to be cooperating this weekend. 

Ken Griffey Jr: Well, everybody wants to get involved in water. Even the man upstairs. 

Can you share what you’re doing on Saturday with Deer Park?  

Griffey: Right now, we’re getting ready, hopefully when the weather subsides, to showcase this mural that’s on the side of a building. It represents the All-Star Game and the city of Philadelphia and all the things they have to offer.

Griffey still draws a crowd wherever he goes. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

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Lately, I imagine you’re recognized a lot with a camera in your hand, whether it’s at The Masters or during MLB All-Star week. Can you share how you got into photography and your favorite sport or event you’ve gotten to shoot?

Griffey: I’ve been fortunate enough to do quite a few things, Masters being one. Ryder Cup, Indianapolis 500, All-Star Game, World Series, football games. So, I’m all over the map. I’m just trying to learn as much as possible over the course of my photography career. 

But how I got started was my daughter stopped dribbling a basketball at age 5 and looked at me and asked me if I was paying attention to the game. It’s just because people see me and want to talk. And she was just like, “No, I want my dad to watch me like everybody else’s kid.”

Griffey snapped some shots of the HBCU Swingman Classic on Saturday from the National League dugout at Citizens Bank Park.  (Photo by Chad Chevalier/Getty Images)

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And it became a passion from there?

Griffey: It started out as a way to really focus in on the kids, and all of a sudden one camera turned into two, two turned into four, one lens turned into like 15 and having a studio, pretty much, at my house. My wife asks me if I’m going into business because it looks like we have a camera shop sometimes — hard drives and programs and DVDs on the events that I want to shoot and what settings.

It was a lot in a short time. But I try to do something every couple years to stay out of my comfort zone. I’ve gone from scuba diving to learning how to fly a plane.

How often are you flying planes?

Griffey: I’m right around 700 hours.

With everything you’re doing — a special consultant for the Mariners, an MLB senior advisor and youth ambassador — what does a normal day look like for you? How do you manage your time?

Griffey: The first couple years it was like, “Oh, did I bite off more than I can chew?” But as I got into it, it’s been pretty easy. Couple meetings here and there, flying into certain cities to have the owners meetings and things like that. It’s good. They know my schedule is hectic sometimes, especially July, because it’s All-Star Game, the Hank Aaron Invitational in Vero [Beach] and the Hall of Fame after that.

After the Swingman Classic, Griffey talked to the teams made up of 50 of the top baseball players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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What will you be shooting this week? 

Griffey: I’m going to do the Home Run Derby. And then, like everybody else, I will watch the All-Star Game. There’s so many eyes and ears, and I understand that I am a freelance guy, and there are certain outlets that need their stuff. So, I’ll leave that sometimes to the big guys to do their job, but I still sit close enough where I can get some tips and ask questions. 

I imagine you command plenty of attention when you have a camera down there. 

Griffey: Well, my biggest thing is, if you’re not learning, you’re not trying. So, I try to ask certain questions to try to help me elevate my photography skills. There are a lot of guys out there that I lean on to get it done.

Are you better than your old teammate Randy Johnson? I think that’s the question everyone really wants to know. 

Griffey: Nah, Randy started out in high school. I’m on 20 years, and he’s on 40. But I do lean on Randy quite a bit, especially my first trip to Africa. I know that he’s gone quite a few times. He sent me a picture of all the stuff he brings, and the clothing, what I should wear. Gave me the guides and stuff like that. So, he’s helped out tremendously throughout this whole journey.

To turn it to baseball, with Shohei Ohtani just now getting to 300 homers, I think it puts into perspective how unbelievable 600 is. Do you think anyone else gets there?

Griffey: He’s had an unbelievable run. I don’t judge anybody, I just want baseball to be elevated, and I know that he’s one of the guys doing it, and it’s fun to watch. There are a lot of guys that are must-see TV when they’re at the plate. When he’s on the mound, it’s must-see. But when you look at the ‘70s and early ’80s, baseball was the sport. And we need to get back to that.

Do you like the way the game is trending? 

Griffey: Yeah, a lot of fans are happy. You’re going to get mixed emotions with the rule changes, but every franchise — NBA, NFL — they’ve all made certain changes to keep the star players on the field and keep it safe. And I think we’re no different than anybody else.

Ken Griffey Jr. is helping take in MLB All-Star Game festivities this week in Philadelphia. (The Lab, Primo Brands)

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Do you have a favorite player to watch? Obviously, you were able to do so many different things athletically as a player, so I’m curious who you’re drawn to? 

Griffey: I watch from Freddie [Freeman] to Mookie [Betts] to Shohei to [Mike] Trout, [Bryce] Harper, Vlad Guerrero, Julio Rodríguez, Cal [Raleigh], what he did last year. I mean, there’s a lot of guys doing special things. The pitcher from Milwaukee up to 105 mph. You still got [Aroldis] Chapman throwing 103. 

It’s a good time and a special time for baseball. We just need to keep the momentum going and bring some of the younger generation back into the fold.

How to Watch the 2026 MLB All-Star Game

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is Tuesday, July 14, with first pitch at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, live from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Watch the MLB All-Star Game on FOX One for live and on-demand streaming.

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It’s the MLB All-Star break, meaning we have a clear sense of what every team is. With that in mind, here’s one number that defines the first half of the season for all 30 MLB teams (teams are mentioned in alphabetical order by city/state name):

Athletics: 20

Athletics’ catcher Shea Langeliers (21) and first baseman Nick Kurtz (20) have each hit 20 home runs.

Atlanta Braves: 5

While they lost 19 of their last 29 games before the All-Star break, the Braves stand atop the National League East (55-40) and are sending five players to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game: Drake Baldwin, Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, Chris Sale and Raisel Iglesias.

Arizona Diamondbacks: 10

D-backs star right fielder Corbin Carroll leads MLB with 10 triples.

Baltimore Orioles: 90

The Orioles are 46-51, but when they’re connecting with pitches, they’re annihilating them. Baltimore is first in the sport in average exit velocity (90.0 mph) and hard-hit percentage (42.9%), according to Statcast.

Boston Red Sox: 85

The Red Sox won their last nine games before the All-Star break, putting them a half-game out of the third American League wild-card seed. With that said, Boston is, remarkably, last in baseball with 85 home runs.

Chicago Cubs: 10

The Cubs are in possession of the first NL wild-card seed at 54-42 after a wonky stretch of play. How’s that? They had multiple 10-game winning streaks. The first one came in mid-April, which was later followed by another 10-game winning stretch from late-April through early-May. What happened after the second hot streak? The Cubs had a 10-game losing streak in mid-May. Baseball.

Chicago White Sox: 129

The White Sox are the surprise team in the sport (first place in the AL Central at 50-45), and the long ball has been a primary catalyst for their success; they’re fourth in MLB with 129 home runs, with infielders Colson Montgomery (23), Miguel Rojas (21) and Munetaka Murakami (20) accounting for 64 of those homers.

Cincinnati Reds: 254

In what’s his first full MLB season, right-hander Chase Burns, who the Reds selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, boasts a 2.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 118 strikeouts, 4.2 wins above replacement and a 173 ERA+ over 102 ⅔ innings pitched (18 starts); Burns is a 2026 All-Star.

Cleveland Guardians: 28

Guardians right-handed reliever Cade Smith has totaled an MLB-high 28 saves. He also sports a 2.84 ERA, has totaled 63 strikeouts and is holding opponents to a .229 batting average. 

Colorado Rockies: 590

Of course, playing half your games a mile above sea level at Coors Field is a challenge, but the Rockies’ starting rotation still boasts a jarring 5.90 team ERA, which is last in the sport.

Detroit Tigers: 4

After back-to-back appearances in the AL Division Series from 2024-25, the Tigers are 44-52. Moreover, they’ve lost four or more consecutive games five times this season.

Houston Astros: 633

Astros superstar Yordan Álvarez is first in MLB with a .633 slugging percentage, as well as on-base percentage (.426) and OPS (1.059); Álvarez also leads the American League with 31 home runs.

Kansas City Royals: 533

The Royals are tied with the Los Angeles Angels for the worst record in baseball (38-59). Meanwhile, their bullpen has the worst ERA in MLB (5.33).

Los Angeles Angels: 917

Tied with the Royals for the worst record in MLB, the Angels stand alone with a league-high 917 strikeouts.

Los Angeles Dodgers: 61

The defending, back-to-back World Series champions are riding high this season, leading the sport with 61 wins.

Miami Marlins: 24

In possession of the third NL wild-card seed at 52-45, the Marlins have tallied an MLB-high 24 triples. Middle infielders Otto Lopez, who’s on the NL All-Star Game roster, and Xavier Edwards have each hit six triples.

Milwaukee Brewers: 340

The Brewers’ starting rotation is first in baseball with a 3.40 ERA, an effort highlighted by superstar right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, who has a 1.62 ERA, an 0.76 WHIP, logged 167 strikeouts and held opponents to a .148 batting average (all of those figures lead MLB).

Minnesota Twins: 10

The Twins aren’t in the playoff picture, but they’ve been able to entertain with the bats. In fact, they’re top 10 in runs (sixth with 471), hits (ninth with 810), home runs (10th with 120), batting average (ninth at .248), on-base percentage (ninth at .323), slugging percentage (seventh at .415) and OPS (eighth at .738).

New York Mets: 303

The Mets, who lead the sport with a roughly $329 million payroll, are tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for 28th in MLB with a .303 team on-base percentage.

New York Yankees: 142

The Yankees have hit an MLB-best 142 home runs.

Philadelphia Phillies: 45

The Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson after the team’s 9-19 start. Since the move, the team is 45-24 under interim manager Don Mattingly.

Pittsburgh Pirates: 516

The Pirates are a commendable 50-47 and tied with the Washington Nationals for the most runs in MLB (516). Pittsburgh has also tallied a league-high 886 hits and sports a league-best .263 batting average. 

San Diego Padres: 30

Despite being a playoff fixture in recent memory, the Padres are last (30th) in runs (379), hits (709), batting average (.226), on-base percentage (.302) and OPS (.672).

San Francisco Giants: 119

It has been another long year for the Giants, who are 41-55. A bright spot has been second baseman Luis Arráez, who is second in the sport with 119 hits and is an NL All-Star.

Seattle Mariners: 3

Despite being 48-49, the Mariners are just one-and-a-half-games behind the Texas Rangers for first place in the AL West. The Mariners’ bullpen is keeping them afloat, as they have four relievers who have made at least 20 appearances sporting an ERA below three (Eduard Bazardo, José A. Ferrer, Gabe Speier and Matt Brash). In all, Seattle’s bullpen has a 3.56 ERA, good for fourth in the sport.

St. Louis Cardinals: 74

Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker, who’s a first-time All-Star, leads the sport with 74 RBIs. He has also blasted a career-high 22 home runs, while owning a .294/.354/.532 slash line. 

Tampa Bay Rays: 322

Rays designated hitter Yandy Díaz leads the AL with a .322 batting average and 111 hits. In doing so, Díaz earned his second career All-Star nod on a Tampa Bay team that has the best record in the AL (56-38).

Texas Rangers: 126

The Rangers are just two games over .500 (49-47), but that’s enough to be first in the AL West. Reliever Jacob Latz has been one of the keys to success for Texas, as he’s 18 of 20 in saves situations, boasts a 1.61 ERA and an 0.67 WHIP and is holding opponents to a mere .126 batting average. 

Toronto Blue Jays: 13.55

The defending AL-champion Blue Jays are slumping, but their premier offseason pickup, right-hander Dylan Cease, has been stellar. Through 17 starts (98 ⅓ innings pitched), Cease sports a 2.56 ERA, 3.6 wins above replacement and 148 strikeouts, good for an MLB-best 13.55 strikeouts per nine innings.

Washington Nationals: 27

While they lead the league in slugging percentage (.435) and are tied for the MLB lead in runs (516), the Nationals have blown an MLB-high 27 saves, which has them on pace to shatter the all-time record, which is 37.

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The stage is set in Philadelphia. Baseball’s brightest stars will take center stage Tuesday night in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park.

Freddie Freeman and Chris Sale have each earned double-digit All-Star selections, while MVP frontrunner Shohei Ohtani will make his sixth consecutive All-Star start and Aaron Judge his eighth.

Alongside the game’s biggest stars are several first-time All-Stars, including multiple players making their debut as starters.

For the American League, Shea Langeliers, Ernie Clement and Ben Rice are among the first-time All-Stars. The National League’s first-time selections include Drake Baldwin, Brandon Marsh and Andy Pages.

Here are the starting lineups announced for Tuesday night’s MLB All-Star Game:

American League Starting Lineup

Trout enters his 12th All-Star Game with the Los Angeles Angels. He’s put together a .237 batting average, hitting 18 home runs with 38 RBI’s along with a .863 OBS in 78 games played this season.

Alvarez enters his fourth All-Star Game after another dominant first half with the Houston Astros. He ranks among the American League leaders with a .318 batting average, 31 home runs and 70 RBI’s.

Langeliers will make his All-Star Game debut Tuesday night after a breakout first half with the Athletics. Through 86 games, he is batting .257 with 21 home runs and 46 RBI’s.

Caminero will make his second consecutive All-Star Game appearance and second straight start for the Tampa Bay Rays. He has continued his breakout season by batting .279 with 28 home runs and 59 RBI’s.

Witt Jr. enters his third consecutive All-Star Game after another strong first half with the Kansas City Royals. Through 91 games, he is batting .286 with 13 home runs and 39 RBI’s.

Bellinger is returning to the All-Star Game for the first time since 2019, earning the honor in his first season with the New York Yankees. Through 94 games, he is batting .237 with 11 home runs and 51 RBI’s.

Rice will make his All-Star Game debut with the Yankees on Tuesday night after a dominant first half at the plate. He enters the break batting .279 with 29 home runs and 68 RBI’s.

Greene is making his third consecutive All-Star Game appearance for the Detroit Tigers. He put together a strong first half at the plate, batting .288 with 13 home runs and 45 RBI’s.

Clement will make his All-Star Game debut with the Toronto Blue Jays after establishing himself as one of the American League’s most consistent hitters this season. He enters the break batting .298 with eight home runs and 32 RBI’s.

Cease will receive the starting nod from All-Star manager John Schneider for the first time in his career Tuesday night. He is having one of the best seasons of his career, posting a 2.56 ERA across 98.1 innings for the Toronto Blue Jays.

National League Starting Lineup

Schwarber will lead off for the National League on Tuesday night in his fourth All-Star Game appearance. He has remained one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters this season, batting .254 with an MLB-best 32 home runs and 59 RBI’s.

Soto will make his fifth All-Star Game appearance of his career while representing the New York Mets. Despite the team’s struggles this season, Soto has remained a bright spot, batting .290 with 21 home runs and 51 RBI’s.

Freeman has reached double-digit All-Star selections, earning his fifth consecutive appearance with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has remained one of baseball’s most consistent hitters, batting .290 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI’s.

Abrams is set to make his second All-Star Game appearance with the Washington Nationals and will bat cleanup for the National League on Tuesday night. He has showcased his power this season, hitting 20 home runs and driving in 67 RBI’s while batting .275 during the first half.

Muncy is no stranger to the big stage with the Dodgers and will make his third All-Star Game appearance. He has remained a consistent threat in the middle of the lineup this season, batting .259 with 17 home runs and 40 RBI’s.

Albies is returning to the All-Star Game after a three-year absence with the Atlanta Braves. He has bounced back offensively this season, batting .267 with 14 home runs and 51 RBI’s.

Marsh is heading to his first All-Star Game, and he won’t have to pack a bag to get there. The Phillies outfielder secured a home-field nod at Citizens Bank Park on the strength of a scorching first half, carrying a pristine .300-plus average, 15 home runs, and 46 RBI’s into the break.

Pages has been one of baseball’s biggest surprises this season, earning his first All-Star selection after a breakout year with the Dodgers. He has emerged as a key presence in the lineup, batting .270 with 17 home runs and 66 RBI’s.

Baldwin will make his All-Star Game debut with the Braves after emerging as one of the league’s brightest stars. He has put together a strong first half at the plate, batting .254 with 15 home runs and 46 RBI’s.

Dave Roberts gave the Philly crowd exactly what they wanted, naming Sánchez the National League’s starting pitcher for Tuesday night. The Phillies southpaw has been brilliant all summer, posting a 2.62 ERA over 127.1 innings straight into his first career All-Star start. 

How to Watch the 2026 MLB All-Star Game

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is Tuesday, July 14, with first pitch at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, live from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Watch the MLB All-Star Game on FOX One for live and on-demand streaming.

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France and Spain meet on Tuesday, with a place in the World Cup final on the line. 

France is chasing a third consecutive World Cup final appearance, while Spain is looking to eliminate France from a major tournament for the third straight time.

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This is the world’s best attack against the world’s best defense. 

Spain has conceded just one goal all tournament, while France’s front three of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise can overwhelm any back line on their day.

While I slightly favor France as the better overall side, it’s hard to ignore the value on Spain double chance at plus-money. 

Spain rarely loses in regulation, it controls possession as well as anyone and its defensive structure is built to limit explosive attacks. 

Having already knocked France out of Euro 2024 and the UEFA Nations League, Spain will enter this match full of confidence. 

With these teams so evenly matched, taking Spain to avoid defeat in 90 minutes is simply the value side. 

Hill’s Pick:   Double Chance Market — Spain or Draw (-135)

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THE WHITE HOUSE — David Malukas knew he had to obey instructions Monday when driving an INDYCAR show car for a pit stop.

The rules on burnouts were strict. And there was no deviating.

When you’re doing a pit stop by The White House and with both the President of the United States and your team owner in attendance standing just a few feet away, you behave.

“Entering the box, I had to be very slow, no burnouts,” Malukas told me Monday, a few hours after the White House visit. “But once the car dropped and I left, I could burnout and do whatever I wanted.

“But coming in, I had to be very safe. I couldn’t cause any moments because obviously there are a lot of serious people in the vicinity.”

Malukas, who drives the No. 12 car, admitted that having team owner Roger Penske there at The White House in addition to President Donald Trump made it a little nerve-wracking — possibly more so with Penske there.

“The boss is always looking,” he said with a laugh.

Malukas, along with four-time INDYCAR champion Alex Palou and 2026 Indianapolis 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist, visited The White House for an event to promote the INDYCAR Freedom 250 Grand Prix, a race on the streets of Washington, D.C. next month (Aug. 23 on FOX). The permitting and improvements to the roads and the ability to use The National Mall for fans — with free general admission tickets being distributed by a lottery for those who signed up — required an executive order from President Trump to have the race this year as part of the celebration of the country’s 250th birthday.

The drivers got a tour of The White House after the 20-minute event, which also was attended by FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks. FOX telecasts all INDYCAR Series events and is a minority owner in INDYCAR.

“The Oval Office was cool because I’ve seen it in so many movies — probably not the real one, but I’ve seen it,” Rosenqvist told me. “The whole thing, it’s kind of hard to grasp.”

INDYCAR gave Palou a helmet to present to President Trump.

“We got to talk a little bit, more about how excited he was to see the cars and the INDYCAR race around D.C., seeing how fast we can go around the streets without getting in trouble,” Palou told me.

Roger Penske (R) and INDYCAR champion Alex Palou (L) present President Donald Trump with a custom race helmet. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

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Trump mentioned the speeds in his 10-minute speech.

“It’s going to be a sight for the ages,” Trump told the crowd. “It really will be something special, and they’re going to go all around the National Mall at speeds that are — if we did that during the regular day, I think people would be put in jail, perhaps for the rest of their lives.”

Roger Penske, whose Penske Corporation operates INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, obviously is looking forward to the race.

“It’s an opportunity to showcase the technology, the speed, the partnerships and the athletes that make such a difference,” Penske said. 

The race will have the Capitol as the backdrop for the start-finish line and the Washington Monument as the backdrop on the opposite side of the seven-turn, 1.7-mile course.

The event for sure will produce incredible images — think of it as a race made for Instagram — and the drivers await the challenge. Rosenqvist said he didn’t get an opportunity to walk the track during his visit.

INDYCAR visited The White House ahead of the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

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“It’s going to be a fantastic race for INDYCAR,” Malukas told me. “The more showings, the more viewings we can get to bring more fans in. … INDYCAR is very special and it’s just trying to get the word out there.

“No matter what type of race it can be, if it can be an influencer, an Instagram race, then fantastic. We want to get the eyes out there.”

Malukas left Washington with a smile on his face.

“I can officially say I did a burnout at The White House,” Malukas said. “Cool.”

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INDYCAR racing is definitely a physical sport, but as James Hinchcliffe explains, the mental component is just as important.

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