Senegal fired its men’s football coach Pape Thiaw, according to a statement issued by the national federation on Sunday.

The Senegalese Football Federation added that Thiaw’s technical staff were also dismissed.

The decision followed Senegal’s elimination in the round of 32 at the ongoing World Cup.

“After an evaluation of the performance of the national team and its prospects, the Executive Committee believes that a change is necessary in the interest of Senegalese football,” the federation said.

Thiaw, 45, was appointed in 2024 and led the West African nation to a disputed continental title in Morocco earlier this year before the victory was overturned by the Confederation of African Football. Senegal has approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport about appealing the decision.

Senegal was eliminated from the World Cup by Belgium despite leading 2-0 with roughly five minutes of regulation time remaining. The team also came close to elimination in the group stage after losses to France and Norway.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Rivalries in football often exist for singular reasons. It’s not that they’re simplistic, but rather, we understand why they are there. Like Liverpool’s rivalry with Everton or the Superclásico between Boca Juniors and River Plate, local derbies are disputed and contested based on a turf war that has placed them close together but in reality, ever so apart. They are neighbors who detest each other and nothing will ever change that. 

It’s different on the international stage, where impactful cultural and political moments in history create rivalries so fierce that it lives carries through generations. Take the Clásico del Pacífico between Chile and Peru, which stemmed from a war in the 1800s, as an example. As my father taught me at a very early age, Peruvians say the word “Chalaca” instead of “Chilena” to describe a bicycle kick, as Perú refuses to believe that a Spanish-born Chilean invented the acrobatic move, and credit it to Afro-Peruvians from a time that was never recorded. 

But I digress. My point is that rivalries in the beautiful game usually have a connecting tissue that lives on in the mindset of every supporter, where history and geography paint a picture of a fierce battle on the pitch. 

Nonetheless, there is one rivalry that is so deep it stands above others. It’s both delicate and purposeful, as it derives from war, social and cultural animosity from two continents and ways of life, but at the same time — but that also has given us some of the most memorable, dramatic moments in World Cup football. 

It is a rivalry made of thorns, rooted in years of rancor where stars also look to rise out of ferocious moments of action.

This is Argentina and England. A match like no other. 

After Argentina’s victory over Switzerland and England’s win over Norway, both will meet on Wednesday in Atlanta for what should be a majestic semifinal where the past meets present. The fact that, amazingly, this will also be Lionel Messi’s first ever encounter against the Three Lions is probably a secondary headline. 

This, after all, is a match of ghosts, originated in 1962 but one that grew in animosity as the years went by and four years later, in 1966, that’s when the fire was founded.

England vs. Argentina at the 1966 World Cup. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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It was the last and only time England won the World Cup. The hosts came out victorious against Argentina in the quarterfinal, but it was a match of complete physicality where Argentina’s captain Antonio Rattín (sadly passed away this month at the age of 89) was sent off in the first half for two offenses in the space of three minutes. This match was so fierce that England manager Alf Ramsey decided to call the opponents “animals” and did not want his players to swap shirts at the end of the match.

 It was also a fixture that essentially introduced the yellow and red cards, knowing too well something had to be done to tone down the heat.

A rivalry rooted in animosity when the 1966 match turned sour. (Photo by S&G/PA Images via Getty Images)

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Good luck with that. 

At the 1986 World Cup in México came the arrival of the legendary Diego Maradona, but most notably, this was now a quarterfinal between both sides that followed the Falklands War — something so deeply impactful to both sides, but for Argentina — this was the fall of a military government, which prompted a new democracy in 1983. A relationship made out of war, something more impactful and catastrophic than anything we could ever imagine now played the role of protagonist. 

Diego Maradona had an iconic game against England. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

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As a result, the match in 1986 brought with it the eternal memory of the Hand of God, where in the 51st minute, still scoreless, the 5-foot-5 Maradona beat out England’s stopper Peter Shilton and used his hand to punch the ball out of Shilton’s reach and into the net. Despite aggressive complaints from England, the goal stood, which proceeded for Maradona to score a second goal four minutes later, which is one of the greatest works of art you will ever see on the pitch.  

Maradona and Argentina would end up winning the World Cup and the star would later in life acknowledge that it was an intentional handball but most importantly, it wasn’t just a goal he celebrated — but a piece of symbolic revenge over the fallen soldiers from the Falklands. This would only make him an even bigger icon and hero to Argentinians, and a despised rival in England. 

After this moment of history at the World Cup, it’s fair to say that something remained imprinted with both nations. This was now a rivalry that goes beyond football. It was a matter of life and death. Perhaps it means different things to each other, but the cauldron of fire continued to grow and that’s when — 12 years later — David Beckham entered the narrative. 

David Beckham has played a part in the Argentina-England rivalry. (Photo by Tony Marshall/EMPICS via Getty Images)

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In 1998, at the World Cup in France, the golden boy of England and the Three Lions faced Argentina in the round of 16. I remember this match so vividly. I was at boarding school and my friends and I escaped to a local pub and watched it, hiding behind the pack of adults screaming at the television as Beckham kicked-out at Diego Simeone after a clash and was consequently sent off in the 48th minute. It was a moment of madness, beautifully performed by Simeone, crushing the hearts of England fans who had already seen an 18-year-old Michael Owen score one of the greatest goals in English football history. But that was before the red card. 

A Hero and a Villain Born on the Same Night 🦁 No. 46 in Best FIFA World Cup™ Moments

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We can only remember the post-mortem and how it vilified Beckham and placed a dent in the evolution of England as it lost on penalties. For Argentina? Once again, it was revenge. Redemption. Historical atonement.

But four years later in Japan, in the group stage at the 2002 World Cup, Beckham would get his sense of salvation after a scored penalty, which consequently came as a result of a foul by Mauricio Pochettino on the aforementioned Owen. Beckham sealed the spot kick and the Three Lions would secure the victory. A win in the round of 16 against Denmark would follow, before eventually losing to Ronaldinho’s audacious free-kick and Brazil’s magical team in the quarterfinal stage. 

David Beckham played against Argentina in two World Cup editions. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

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And so here we are. 24 years later. The rivalry returns at the grandest of stages, and, despite the fact that many young people don’t even have a memory of this conflict, it is fair to say they will know by Wednesday. 

Argentina fans — and the team — have resuscitated their call to arms in a song as La Cuarta Estrella (“The Fourth Star”) has become synonymous with this team. The song states: 

Por Malvinas, por El Diego (“For the Falkland Islands, for Diego”),
Por la última de Leo (“For Leo’s last one”),
Argentina quiero verte bicampeón (“Argentina, I want to see you back-to-back champion”).

There might be an argument to be made about the fact that this rivalry means more for Argentina than England. For the losses and the pain, the makeup thread of the country and what history has done — or rather undone — to them. And there’s the team itself, who carries emotion on its sleeve and kills it itself for victory. 

But I think this England side is also equally charged. Full of fire and venom. It is a team that has already faced incredible hostility and extreme conditions. From defeating Mexico at the Azteca to enduring hot and humid conditions in Miami against Erling Haaland’s Norway. So they understand the challenge. They know the assignment and the stakes of the moment. Most importantly, they are aware of Argentina that despite showing a few vulnerabilities during this World Cup, is still the defending champion for a reason.

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Lionel Scaloni is attempting to quiet down the fixture and historical connotations of the rivalry, but he knows too well that this won’t happen.  

Then there’s Messi himself, who is ready to face England at international level for the first time ever. The greatest player the game has ever seen, carrying his country on his shoulders, with Diego Maradona, Rattín and other gone heroes watching from above. As he keeps delivering in this last dance, now comes the biggest, most emotionally charged battle of all: a match against England. 

It does not escape me to remember that he is also facing his Inter Miami boss as David Beckham will be watching from the stands. 

Prior to the match, I am sure they will wish each other well and remember the similarities both nations share. It’s the same commonalities mutually loved by Argentina and England. From Oasis to The Beatles, the warmth of loyalty in football itself and the appreciation for beauty and battle in the game. The shared respect is as potent as the historical enmities that have brought us here in the first place.

But know this. On Wednesday, in Atlanta, when both stare at each other on the pitch, and prepare to fight for every ball, every tackle and every effort towards victory, Argentina and England will remind us why football is so much more valuable than highlights on social media, or glamorous shots of celebrities attending a fixture at the luxury of a suite. 

England against Argentina is about love and hate, fallen heroes and newly discovered saviors. It is about the present but also the past, both eternally connected to the memories of pain and sacrifice. This is a fixture where you appreciate what you have, thanks to the guardians who brought you to this moment. But this is also a match of fierce competition, with the hope that you carry the identity of your nation at the tip of your heart, running through your veins and never forgetting that this rivalry can only exist because you have each other. 

EVERY Goal From Quarterfinals 2026 FIFA World Cup™

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It appears that Neymar knows when to hold them and knows when to fold them.

The Brazilian soccer star took part in the 2026 World Series of Poker tournament in Las Vegas, which includes a $10,000 main event, with video circulating of his presence at the event on Saturday night. Neymar actually competed in the 2025 edition of the event, as well, reaching the final table.

With that said, Neymar didn’t have that Raymond Babbitt or Alan Garner in him this year, as he didn’t advance past Day 1 of the tournament.

Neymar’s participation in the yearly poker showdown comes in the wake of Brazil’s World Cup round-of-16 loss to Erling Haaland and Norway on July 5.

Brazil won Group C with a 2-1-0 record by playing Morocco to a 1-1 draw and defeating Haiti (3-0) and Scotland (3-0). They later defeated Japan in the round of 32 (2-1) before being eliminated by Norway in the round of 16 (2-1).

Neymar was subbed into action for Brazil in the 68th minute against Norway and would later score the country’s last goal of the tournament on a penalty kick in stoppage time. He only appeared in two games for Brazil in the World Cup, having entered the tournament with a right calf injury. Neymar came off the bench in both of the contests he played in.

The 2026 World Cup marked the fourth and final World Cup that the La Liga and Ligue 1 legend will play for Brazil (2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026); Neymar announced his retirement from international play on July 5. 

Neymar, who has a combined 457 goals and 262 assists as a professional, tallied nine goals in 15 career World Cup matches and 80 goals in 129 games overall for Brazil.

Outside international play, the 34-year-old Neymar has spent the last two seasons with Santos in Brazil’s Serie A. 

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England’s win over Norway didn’t come without post-match controversy for the Three Lions.

Star midfielder Jude Bellingham scored twice to give England a 2-1 win in extra time that sent them to the World Cup semifinals for the fourth time ever. After the match, during an on-field interview, head coach Thomas Tuchel pointed out that his team could have been much better.

“We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today,” Tuchel said in a post-match interview on FOX Sports. “The result is fantastic. We’re in the last four. It’s amazing, but not happy with the performance … in every sense.”

Bellingham, who scored both of England’s goals to bring his tally for the tournament up to six, seemed to disagree with his coach’s critique after England prevailed in the heat and humidity of South Florida, with temperatures reaching 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 Celsius) at the start of warmups.

“Well, whatever,” Bellingham said, shaking his head. “It’s difficult out there. It’s a tough shift. My thoughts and appreciation goes to the players out there who put in a great shift.”

“Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those conditions,” Bellingham said, mentioning the top talent of Norway, incuding Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, Antonio Nusa, and Alexander Sørloth.

“I think it would probably catch you a little off-guard,” former World Cup defender Walk Zimmerman told us for the comments and Bellingham’s response. “That’s the kind of thing that would fly, I think, at the club level when you’re playing game in, game out. For a knockout tournament, I think the most important thing is that you can say we didn’t play well, then you immediately acknowledge, ‘We won, we’re moving on. We’re going to enjoy this today and look at what we can do better.’”

Former U.S. men’s national team coach and FOX Sports analyst Bob Bradley downplayed the impact of Tuchel’s comments, which struck a chord with Bellingham.

“I don’t think it’s anything,” Bradley said, calling the comments “postgame emotions.”

“Tuchel, like a lot of us, is never satisfied and always demanding,” Bradley told us. “Bellingham represents the players and the effort against a good team.”

Thierry Henry also seemed confused by the line of questioning from the interviewer in FOX’s postgame. 

“I didn’t understand the questions,” Henry said. “The guy is telling you it was all effort and mentality – and you’re asking about mentality. He was talkinga bout the technical aspect of the game. […] He wasn’t happy with the speed, he wasn’t happy about it. That’s why he changed stuff right away. You don’t even need to ask that question. If he’s changing stuff, it’s because he’s not happy with what’s on the field.” 

Tuchel clarified in his news conference that he was “proud and happy” with how his squad has overcome adversity, but added, “I’m also a football coach and I also have demands. … I think we can play faster. I think we can play more clinically.”

Bellingham added, “The game is split into loads of different facets. Some of it is technical, tactical. For me, the biggest one is psychological and how you can manage setbacks, how you can manage adversity. This team showed yet again that they can do it, and that’s a really valuable skill and trait to have.”

Former U.S. national team midfielder and FOX Sports analyst Sacha Kljestan believes the comments won’t affect England as it approaches a semifinal matchup with reigning champion Argentina.

“I don’t think it’s a very big deal,” Kljestan told us. “He was clearly exhausted after putting in a huge effort. Maybe after watching the game back, he will see that England was a little sloppy on the day.  He has a right to say what he said, and I don’t think it should be a big thing.”

“Ultimately, I think it’s a non-story, honestly,” Zimmerman added. “That’s going to be totally fine in the locker room. Neither of them are going to be thinking twice about it.”

Alexi Lalas appreciated Tuchel’s approach as well, noting that it’s more about perception than any sort of “bristling” between media and coach on the most recent episode of State Of The Union. 

“Tuchel’s response was as German as I’ve seen him in this moment, and I think it was by design,” Lalas said. “I think Thomas Tuchel recognizes that in order for this England team to get over this hump and do things we haven’t seen before, he has to treat not just the team but the extended team, the fanbase, in a different way. Because in that moment you’d expect Thomas Tuchel or most coaches to extoll the virtues of what they just say, ‘hey it’s a hard fought game.’ […] He’s zigging while everyone else is zagging. I’m here for it.”

On Bellingham’s comments, Lalas had more to say.

“I also love the fact that Jude Bellingham in this moment recognized that, ‘well that’s my coach saying this, but we are going to celebrate this and sing while you’re winning.'”

“This team is endearing,” Lalas added. 

Next up for England is a semifinal round matchup against Argentina on Wednesday, July 15 in Atlanta (3 p.m. ET on FOX and streaming on FOX One). It’s the latest in a long history between Argentina and England, one built on ghosts, thorns and legends.

“Thomas Tuchel can rain all day long on the parade,” Lalas continued. “And I think it’s done strategically, and I think it’s smart, but I also like the fact that there was pushback from his players that this was not easy.” 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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This week’s All-Star festivities in Philadelphia will be a hometown showcase. 

The Phillies have two players — Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber — competing in the Home Run Derby on Monday. One day later, four more Phillies players — Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, Brandon Marsh and Jhoan Duran — will be joining Schwarber and Harper at the All-Star Game.

On the American League side, it will also be a return home for Mike Trout, the native of Millville, New Jersey, whose 12th All-Star Game will hold a special meaning.

With All-Star week about to get going, here are 10 storylines to watch.

Cease And Sanchez Get The Starts

Rowan Kavner: There are two strong options for American League manager John Schneider. The Yankees’ Cam Schlittler leads AL pitchers in bWAR, ERA and WHIP, while Schneider’s Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease leads AL pitchers in fWAR, strikeouts, strikeout rate and opponents’ batting average. They’ve clearly been the top two pitchers in the AL.

Cease has thrown 15 consecutive scoreless innings in his last two starts, having allowed just four hits and four walks while striking out 20. He will start the game for the AL.

It’s a little more complicated in the National League.

Jacob Misiorowski would have been the obvious choice in the middle of a historically overpowering season. He leads all qualified MLB starters in ERA, strikeouts, WHIP and opponents’ batting average. Shane Bieber (in the shortened 2020 season) and Gerrit Cole (in 2019) are the only qualified starters who have ever logged a strikeout rate higher than Misiorowski’s (39.6%) over the course of a full season.

The only problem? Miz won’t be there. He has been replaced because he will be pitching on Sunday and unavailable for the All-Star Game. Paul Skenes might have made sense, but he will be facing off against Misiorowski on Sunday (and hasn’t had the first-half numbers of other top contenders).

NL manager Dave Roberts told me last week that being the hometown pitcher “has got to have some weight” as he mulls his decision. If he chooses to go with a Phillies pitcher, there are two options: Sánchez and Luzardo.

Sánchez would have been the clear choice until he coughed up nine runs in Kansas City on Monday. Despite that clunker, he gets the call.

Cristopher Sánchez has been stellar during the first half of the season for the Phillies. (Phebe Grosser/MLB Photos via Getty Images) –>

Atlanta’s Chris Sale, Cincinnati’s Chase Burns and Roberts’ World Series star Yoshinobu Yamamoto had to have been among the other top considerations.

A Farewell To Justin Verlander

Deesha Thosar: This week’s All-Star week festivities will double as a farewell stage for Verlander, giving his peers and fans a chance to celebrate his remarkable career. After announcing that he will retire following the season, the future first-ballot Hall of Famer will take one final All-Star bow as one of the sport’s most accomplished pitchers. 

Verlander is a throwback from a generation of pitchers that played the game with different priorities, including pitching deep into games, emphasizing durability and wins, and defining a legacy through consistency and longevity. It’s fair to question whether we will ever see anyone like him take the mound again.

Justin Verlander is finishing his career with the team he started it with. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images) –>

Few careers can match Verlander’s resume. The 43-year-old is a 10-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, a two-time World Series champion, and the 2011 AL MVP. The right-hander has spent over two decades overpowering hitters, presiding as the active leader in strikeouts (3,554), wins (266), complete games (26), games started (556) and innings pitched (3,571.1). Whatever MLB has in the works to honor Verlander in Philly, it’s certain to be a fitting tribute to one of baseball’s all-time greats.

Hometown Stars In Home Run Derby

Kavner: In 2018, the Nationals’ Bryce Harper beat the Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber in the finals to win the Home Run Derby. Eight years later, now Phillies teammates, they’ll face off again in front of their hometown fans.

It’s the first time since that 2018 Derby that two teammates will compete. (That year, it was Schwarber and Cubs teammate Javier Báez). 

Harper has tabbed Dodgers third-base coach Dino Ebel, one of his World Baseball Classic Team USA coaches, as his Derby pitcher. Ebel threw to Schwarber during last year’s All-Star Game swing-off, helping Schwarber launch three home runs on three pitches to earn MVP honors.

Speaking Of That Swing-Off…

Thosar: Could another Home Run Derby-style swing-off decide the All-Star Game? After last year’s dramatic tiebreaker captivated fans, including Schwarber going a perfect 3-for-3 with three home runs, the possibility is back on the table in Philadelphia.

Under MLB’s All-Star rules, games tied after nine innings skip extra innings and move straight to a swing-off. Three manager-selected hitters from each league get three swings apiece, and the team that hits the most home runs after all rounds will claim the win. The format was introduced to avoid overworking pitchers while adding late-game drama.

There’s no way to predict another tie, but all the ingredients are there. There’s elite pitching, stacked lineups and every run will come at a premium, so another swing-off remains a real possibility. If it happens, who will be crowned the hero? Last year in Atlanta, after the NL and AL ended the ninth in a 6-6 tie, we got to see Brent Rooker vs. Kyle Stowers in round one, followed by Schwarber vs. Randy Arozarena in round two, and finally Jonathan Aranda vs. Pete Alonso in round three. The NL won the All-Star Game, 7-6, after the unprecedented swing-off.

Kyle Schwarber receives 2025 MLB All-Star Game MVP | MLB on FOX

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Check out Kyle Schwarber receive his Most Valuable Player trophy for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.

Trout To Start In Hometown All-Star Game

Kavner: Trout’s 12th All-Star Game will be a particularly memorable one. 

Trout’s hometown of Millville, New Jersey, is less than 50 miles from Philadelphia, and the Angels superstar has thought about the possibility of playing in this All-Star Game since before the season began.

“It would be huge,” Trout told me two weeks ago, when he was still on the injured list with a hamstring strain. “It’d be special, for sure.”

Trout has returned from his hamstring strain — as he vowed to do — just in time. He’ll be starting in the outfield for an AL team that could use his pop with Aaron Judge injured.

Which AL Rookie Will Step Up?

Kavner: It’s a special year for rookie talent, and much of it will be on display on the American League roster. 

Munetaka Murakami returned from his hamstring injury just in time to be added to the American League roster after launching 20 homers in his first 57 big-league games. Kevin McGonigle is already one of the most valuable shortstops in the game at 21 years old. Cleveland has two AL Rookie of the Year contenders in the game in second baseman Travis Bazzana and pitcher Parker Messick. 

All of them have risen to the occasion in their first MLB season, and it will be fascinating to see who holds their own — or takes their game to another level — against the sport’s top competition.

Munetaka Murakami returned from the injured list just in time for the All-Star Game. (Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

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MLB Continues To Showcase International Stars

Thosar: Is it the World Baseball Classic, or the All-Star Game? Just four months after another successful WBC, which ended with Venezuela beating the United States for its first-ever WBC title, the All-Star Game will continue to showcase baseball’s global reach.

From Latin America to Asia to the land down under, Philly’s Midsummer Classic will feature plenty of stars whose baseball journeys began in different countries.

There are 22 internationally born players earning spots on the All-Star rosters (33.8%), including 12 players in the NL and 10 in the AL. The list features players from Cuba (7); the Dominican Republic (5); Venezuela (4); Canada (2); Japan (2); Australia (1); and Curaçao (1). Guardians rookie second baseman Travis Bazzana, a native of Hornsby, Australia, will become just the fourth-ever native of Australia to make the All-Star Game, joining Grant Balfour (2013); Liam Hendriks (2019, 2021-22); and Dave Nilsson (1999). 

Diverse All-Star rosters represent the international talent pipeline that’s become essential to MLB’s grandest stages.

Will This Week Be The Showcase Of Junior Caminero?

Kavner: Caminero is one of the hottest hitters on the planet right now — he had 12 homers in his last 16 games entering the weekend before the break — and he’s out for revenge after falling just short of becoming the youngest player ever to win the Home Run Derby last year.

Would anyone be surprised if he won the Derby and then took home All-Star MVP honors? At just 23 years old, the AL starting third baseman is quickly ascending into one of the league’s most promising superstars.

The First-Time All-Stars To Watch

Thosar: Some have been there, done that (looking at you, Trout, Freddie Freeman, Chris Sale, Juan Soto, Matt Olson, et al.). And then, some will have no idea what to expect and will be taking in the All-Star week festivities with fresh eyes.

There is a record, eye-popping total of 29 players who will be making their All-Star Game debuts this year. Among that large group, there are several names worth keeping an eye on who could steal the show. 

Notable names making their first trip to the Midsummer Classic include Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease, Yankees first baseman Ben Rice and burgeoning star right-hander Schlitter, breakout Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker and local Phillies in Luzardo and outfielder Brandon Marsh rounding out the group of some of the game’s best players of the first half. 

“I don’t necessarily come into the season saying, ‘I really want to be on the All-Star team,’” Rice told me of whether it was his goal to be selected. “But you can only hope that if you do your best every day and stick to your process and the results follow, that maybe you’ll get the chance.”

Key Stars Will Be Absent. Who Will Capitalize?

Thosar: We’ve been spoiled over the years with so many household names regularly appearing at MLB’s annual All-Star Game festivities, but this year, the Midsummer Classic will be missing some of its biggest headliners.

Shohei Ohtani (left knee irritation), Judge (stress fracture in right rib), and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (elected not to play) are among the superstar absences, with aces Skenes and Misiorowski also unable to play in the All-Star Game because they’re both starting on Sunday. In addition, Byron Buxton is dealing with a right hip impingement, while Nick Kurtz will also miss the game due to a right thumb sprain.

Still, these absences create opportunity. With a handful of marquee names sidelined or unavailable, the spotlight shifts to first-time All-Stars and underrated talents who are all eager to make a name for themselves. Keep an eye on All-Star Game replacements like first baseman Willson Contreras and Murakami to make the most of their chances.

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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Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was sent off in the second half of its World Cup quarterfinal loss to Argentina on Saturday night, a controversial decision following a video review.

Dan Ndoye had just tied the game at 1-all in the 67th minute when Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was shown a yellow card following a tackle on Embolo. But video showed that the Swiss player was falling before Paredes made contact with him, so Embolo was given a yellow card under the “mistaken identity” protocol that’s being used at the World Cup.

Embolo had also received a yellow card earlier in the match, so he was sent off and the Swiss were left to play with 10 men the rest of the way.

Switzerland managed to get the game to extra time and was trying to escape to a shootout. But then Julián Alvarez scored from long range in the 112th minute, and Lautaro Martínez added another goal a few minutes later, lifting Argentina to a 3-1 victory.

“We were punished because of a rule that, in my opinion, is completely unacceptable,” Swiss coach Murat Yakin said. “It’s very painful that we were eliminated that way. I don’t think we deserve that today, and in my opinion, my boys are the real heroes. They put all their heart and their passion into their performance. I am very proud. They are very proud.”

Yakin wasn’t done with his criticism of Portuguese referee João Pinheiro, though.

“The referee made the wrong decision,” Yakin said. “It was, in my opinion, a harmless foul, if it even was a foul. I know they will protect their referee, but this rule destroyed our game today, and it’s very painful, and to be eliminated in that way hurts a lot.”

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged that “luck was on our side because one of their players was sent off.”

It was the second time a yellow card was overturned using the “mistaken identity” protocol at the World Cup. The relatively obscure rule allows the video assistant referee to intervene when an incorrect player is shown a yellow or red card.

“I think the red card changed our game,” Swiss captain Granit Xhaka said. “This decision was difficult to accept now after the game because the dressing room was very quiet, disappointed.”

Switzerland manager Murat Yakin called the second yellow card given to Breel Embolo “painful” to accept. (Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Earlier this week, the Egyptian Football Association said it “cannot remain silent” after what it believed was biased officiating in its 3-2 loss to Argentina in the round of 16. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan and several players had criticized the officiating after the defending champion scored three unanswered goals to pull off one of the biggest comebacks in World Cup history.

“Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials,” FIFA’s chief of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, said in response Wednesday. “When this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right.”

Yakin stopped short of saying Argentina was being favored by World Cup referees. But he also did not hold back about an incident that he believes changed the complexion of Saturday night’s match.

“We were punished by a referee’s mistake,” he said. “I didn’t know this rule before. It was a very harmless situation, and then a yellow card was awarded. The VAR interfered. It was a very meaningful moment for us, and it was decisive in the outcome of the match.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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France and Spain: two international powerhouses with rich histories and bright futures. But how have the two countries matched up against each other in major tournaments throughout the years?

Let’s look back at the most notable meetings between France and Spain ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal match at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday: 

2024 Euros Semifinal: Spain 2, France 1

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

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Spain’s Goalscorers: Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo
France’s Goalscorers: Randal Kolo Muani

The most recent meeting between France and Spain was in 2024, again in a semifinal, but in the European Championship.

A majority of the players from both squads are involved again this time. Sixteen members of Spain’s current World Cup squad were in the Euro 2024 squad that won the tournament, while 15 France players from Euro 2024 are also in this World Cup squad.

Spain came into that Euro 2024 semifinal flying, having a marvelous tournament up to that point. La Roja went perfect in the group stage, winning all three matches, then beat Georgia comfortably in the round of 16 before knocking out host nation Germany in the quarterfinals.

Spain vs. Germany: Final 3 minutes of UNREAL quarterfinal match | UEFA Euro 2024 | Quarterfinals

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France, meanwhile, had a relatively poor start to the tournament. Les Bleus failed to win their group, managing five points in the group stage, before lackluster knockout wins over Belgium and Portugal. France beat Belgium, 1-0, in the round of 16, then defeated Portugal on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the quarterfinals.

Spain came in with the momentum, but an early goal from Kolo Muani stirred the pot. Then a moment of magic from Lamine Yamal, a long-distance pearler, and a goal from Dani Olmo off a Jules Koundé deflection gave Spain a 2-1 lead going into halftime.

Spain managed to hang on, winning the semifinal before going on to win the entire tournament by beating England in the final.

Spain vs. France Highlights | UEFA Euro 2024 | Semifinals

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2012 Euros Quarterfinal: Spain 2, France 0

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

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Spain’s Goalscorers: Xabi Alonso 2

France came into this tournament managed by Laurent Blanc, trying to clean up the scraps of a humiliating 2010 World Cup campaign in which it finished bottom of its group with just one point in a group that included Uruguay, Mexico and South Africa.

France started Euro 2012 better compared to 2010 by getting out of the group, but it failed to win the group after suffering an upset defeat to Sweden on match day three. That meant France had to go up against a Spanish dynasty that was coming off winning Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

Spain was firmly in the middle of being one of the greatest national teams of all time, if not the greatest national team of all time. An early goal from Xabi Alonso and a late insurance penalty from him in stoppage time allowed Spain to cruise into the semifinals.

Spain went on to win Euro 2012.

2006 World Cup Round of 16: France 3, Spain 1

(Photo by sampics/Corbis via Getty Images)

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France’s Goalscorers: Franck Ribéry, Patrick Vieira, Zinedine Zidane
Spain’s Goalscorers: David Villa

This was a dramatic round of 16 matchup in 2006 because France failed to win its group, finishing below Switzerland, which led to Les Bleus facing a Spain side that had won its group in dominant fashion.

But Spain’s reward was having to face a France team in the last 16 that still had Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Lilian Thuram, Franck Ribéry and many more.

Those talented players got the better of a Spain team that started strong and took the initial lead through a David Villa penalty. But an equalizer from Ribéry shortly before halftime, a late goal from Vieira on a set piece and a stoppage-time insurance goal from Zidane allowed France to get past Spain.

It was a tough break for a Spanish team that won its group but was rewarded with a France team that ended up going all the way to the World Cup final.

2000 Euros Quarterfinal: France 2, Spain 1

(Photo by OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images)

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France’s Goalscorers: Zinedine Zidane, Youri Djorkaeff
Spain’s Goalscorers: Gaizka Mendieta

This Euro 2000 quarterfinal saw all three goals come in the first half. Zidane broke the deadlock for France with a free kick, before Mendieta equalized from the penalty spot.

But Spain not being able to go into the dressing room at 1-1 was a blow, as Djorkaeff scored the go-ahead goal right before halftime.

A young Raúl, only 23 at the time, had the opportunity to send the game into extra time from the penalty spot late on, but the pressure got to him as he blazed his penalty over the crossbar.

France went on to the semifinals and eventually won Euro 2000.

1996 Euros Group Stage: France 1, Spain 1

(Photo by Stewart Kendall/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

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France’s Goalscorers: Youri Djorkaeff
Spain’s Goalscorers: José Luis Caminero

This was Spain and France’s second group-stage match of Euro 1996, played at Elland Road in Leeds, home of Leeds United.

It ended in a 1-1 draw behind goals from Djorkaeff and José Luis Caminero and proved to be a pivotal point for both teams in their push to move on to the quarterfinals.

It was a tight battle between France, Spain and Bulgaria for the top two spots. France topped the group with seven points, Spain finished second with five, and Bulgaria narrowly missed out with four.

1984 Euros Final: France 2, Spain 0

(Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

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France’s Goalscorers: Michel Platini, Bruno Bellone

France’s first major international tournament victory came in 1984, when it beat Spain, 2-0, behind Michel Platini, whose Euro 1984 campaign is widely recognized as one of the greatest individual international tournament performances ever.

Platini scored nine goals in five matches, including one in the final, as he captained France to the trophy. Bruno Bellone also got on the scoresheet.

Played at the Parc des Princes, France won as host nation in a tense, cagey affair. The opener came in the 57th minute after a mistake from Spain goalkeeper Luis Arconada on a Platini free kick, before Bellone added an insurance goal in the 90th minute with a chip.

That gave France its first major international tournament title.

This was Spain’s last appearance in a major international tournament final before Euro 2008, 24 years later.

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There’s another Bonds in the San Francisco Giants organization.

The Giants drafted Rutgers outfielder Peyton Bonds in the third round of the amateur draft on Saturday, putting him with the same franchise where uncle Barry Bonds and grandfather Bobby Bonds both starred for years.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Peyton Bonds hit .352 with six home runs and 13 stolen bases last season for Rutgers.

Barry Bonds set a major league record with 762 career home runs and won seven Most Valuable Player awards. Bobby and Barry Bonds are considered one of the greatest father-son combinations in baseball history.

There were plenty of family connections in the draft held this weekend in Philadelphia, the site of Tuesday night’s All-Star Game.

The Miami Marlins selected shortstop Jacob Lombard with the No. 14 pick. Lombard is the son of Detroit Tigers bench coach George Lombard Sr. and younger brother of top Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr.

The Milwaukee Brewers took high school shortstop Trey Ebel with the 25th pick. He is the brother of Brady Ebel, whom they drafted with the 32nd selection last year. Their father is Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel — expected to pitch to Phillies slugger Bryce Harper in the Home Run Derby on Monday night.

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle can’t wait to go home for the All-Star Game in Philadelphia.

“I’m super pumped,” McGonigle said Sunday before facing his hometown Phillies.

Even though McGonigle is just 21, he has had a lot of travel bags for baseball.

None, though, was like the white one sitting on the carpeted floor next to his chair in the Tigers’ clubhouse. The duffel bag was adorned with the All-Star Game logo and there was an Old English D on each end.

“I’d say this is the best one I’ve ever had,” McGonigle said.

He earned it.

Since the first All-Star Game in 1933, Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout and Hall of Famer Al Kaline are the two players who have reached base safely more often than McGonigle at the break.

The Tigers thought McGonigle would be good, but no one could have projected this much production so early in his career.

Detroit drafted McGonigle with the No. 37 pick in 2023 and he spent two-plus years in the minor leagues, skipping a stop at Triple-A Toledo, as a promising prospect.

Shortly after McGonigle made the major league roster during spring training and had four hits in his debut, the franchise saw enough to give him a $150 million, eight-year contract.

So far, it certainly looks like a wise investment.

“It’s so impressive how mature he is in the box,” Tigers All-Star outfielder Riley Greene said. “You don’t see many people at 21 having at-bats as good as him.”

Since 1947, he is the fifth rookie 21 or younger to have at least 99 hits before the All-Star Game.

“He’s a good-looking, young player,” said Phillies manager Don Mattingly, who was quite a player himself. “Young guys seem to be coming up a lot more often, and doing well right away.

“Seeing him in the spring, he swung the bat. In spring you kind of go, ‘OK, we’ll see,’ with young guys and then obviously, he has taken it into the season and he’s still rolling.”

McGonigle, who was born in Media, Pennsylvania, and attended high school in nearby Drexel Hill, shared his picks for the best cheesesteaks in the Philadelphia area ahead of the Home Run Derby on Monday night and the All-Star Game on Tuesday night.

“Delco’s Steaks in Delaware County, which is where I’m from, is my favorite,” he said. “In the city, Philip’s is a sleeper. There’s a different way they cut the meat, and it’s really good.”

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.

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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First, the College Football Playoff expanded to 12 teams. Then, the NCAA Tournament expanded to 76 teams. Meanwhile, FIFA is in the midst of its newfound 48-team World Cup (the World Cup previously included 32 counties). 

On that note, does FIFA have its sights set on tournament expansion — again?

After saying that the 48-team 2026 World Cup has been “a huge success,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino opened the door to add another 16 teams to the tournament for the 2030 World Cup.

“That’s definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup,” Infantino said when asked about the possibility of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams in an interview with Swiss media outlet Bluewin. “When organizing a World Cup, it’s important to organize it for the whole world — not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world. Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup.”

Infantino believes the quality of teams is only improving, which could play into a potential expansion down the road.

“You can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high — and it’s getting higher and higher, all over the world,” Infantino continued. “If you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving.”

The inaugural Men’s World Cup in 1930 included 13 teams, with that number moving to 16 on a permanent basis in 1954 (there were 16 teams in 1934, 15 in 1938 and 13 in 1950, with no World Cup in 1942 due to World War II or in 1946 due to the impact of the war). It later moved to 24 teams in 1982 and 32 teams in 1998, which was the number of countries in the tournament until 2026.

As for the World Cup in progress, Kylian Mbappé and France will face off against Lamine Yamal and Spain in the semifinal round on Tuesday; Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and England will take on Lionel Messi and Argentina in the semifinals on Wednesday.

The winner of the two semifinal round matches will square off in the 2026 World Cup Final on Sunday, July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (3 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX One).

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