Author: Rachel Maddow

Organisers pack the 2026 World Cup draw with complex rules and shifting conditions. Fans face pots, quadrants and bracket limits that shape every matchup. Fifa uses computers to manage constraints and guide the ceremony. Errors can still happen, as Uefa discovered in 2021. Officials hope everything runs smoothly once the event begins in Washington. The ceremony starts at 17:00 GMT on 5 December. Hosts present far more than a simple ballot. Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart and Danny Ramirez lead the show. Performers Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger provide live music. Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump plan to deliver…

Team USA claimed the gold medal at the 2025 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup, defeating Canada in a thrilling final. Allisha Gray played a decisive role, hitting clutch free throws that sealed the victory for the U.S. team. The final game was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging leads throughout. Gray’s calm performance in the closing moments allowed Team USA to pull ahead and secure the win. Teammates contributed with key baskets, defense, and strategic plays to maintain pressure on Canada. This victory highlights Team USA’s strength in 3×3 basketball, showcasing the talent, teamwork, and resilience of the roster. Analysts praised the…

Leeds ended a four-match losing streak and damaged Chelsea’s title hopes.Chelsea slipped to fourth place, sitting nine points behind leaders Arsenal after a flat showing at Elland Road.Daniel Farke faced pressure, yet his players controlled the first half and scored twice through Jaka Bijol and Ao Tanaka, who both celebrated their first Premier League goals.Chelsea pushed forward after the restart, and substitute Pedro Neto reduced the deficit in the 50th minute.Enzo Maresca’s side then suffered another setback when they conceded a third goal in the 72nd minute after a major defensive error.Tosin Adarabioyo misplayed a pass, allowing Dominic Calvert-Lewin a…

Erling Haaland reached 100 Premier League goals faster than anyone, scoring in Manchester City’s 5-4 win at Fulham.The 25-year-old Norwegian scored 20 goals in 19 games across all competitions this season.Haaland ended a brief scoring drought after three games without goals against Newcastle, Bayer Leverkusen, and Leeds. Stunning Performance at Fulham Haaland converted Jeremy Doku’s cross in the first half to bring up his century of strikes.He also hit the post twice and contributed two assists in a strong attacking display.Haaland now leads the Premier League with 15 goals, ahead of Brentford’s Igor Thiago with 11. Guardiola Praises Goal Machine…

Takumi Minamino scored the lone goal as Monaco defeated Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain.The Japanese forward struck the bottom corner from 16 yards after Aleksandr Golovin’s precise cross.Monaco played the final minutes with 10 men after Thilo Kehrer received a red card for a professional foul. Pogba Returns for Monaco Monaco introduced Paul Pogba late in the match for his first home appearance since his doping suspension.Pogba made only his second game appearance in more than two years during this Ligue 1 clash.PSG pressed for an equaliser in injury time, but Vitinha’s shot was saved and Joao Neves missed a…

Phil Foden scored twice as Manchester City recovered from a near-collapse against struggling Leeds.He opened the scoring in just 59 seconds from Matheus Nunes’ cross.Josko Gvardiol added a second for City in the 25th minute, giving them a two-goal advantage. Leeds Fight Back but Fall Short Dominic Calvert-Lewin revived Leeds after halftime, scoring following a Nunes deflection.Lukas Nmecha converted a penalty after Gvardiol fouled Calvert-Lewin, briefly raising hopes of an upset.Lucas Perri’s early saves kept Leeds in contention before Foden’s stoppage-time finish sealed City’s win. City Climb While Questions Remain The win moves City to second, four points behind Arsenal…

Manchester United struggles with ticket touts causing intimidation and threats against staff. Fans have cried after buying seats that do not exist, as touts sometimes sell the same seat multiple times. Someone paid £900 for a Liverpool away ticket. UK law bans resale, but foreign companies face no restrictions. The club uses multiple approaches to combat scalping, but touts often stay one step ahead. Staff also face resistance from some supporters when enforcing rules. Digital Sales Fuel Illegal Trade Old Trafford matchdays once saw touts selling tickets on Sir Matt Busby Way, but in-person trading has declined. Scalpers now operate…

Lewis Crocker plans to return to Windsor Park next spring and defend his IBF welterweight title. The Belfast fighter secured the vacant belt in September after defeating Paddy Donovan by split decision before a packed crowd at Northern Ireland’s national football stadium. Their clash, a repeat of their March encounter that ended with Donovan’s disqualification, restored boxing to Windsor Park for the first time since Carl Frampton beat Luke Jackson in August 2018. Reports suggest officials scheduled Crocker’s title defence for 11 April, with confirmation of his opponent expected within two weeks. Benn and Barrios Enter the Debate Crocker holds…

Chelsea winger Estevao Willian outshone Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in a 3-0 Champions League win at Stamford Bridge.The 18-year-old collected a pass from Reece James, dribbled past Alejandro Balde, and fired a powerful strike into the net.Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin praised Estevao’s footwork, intelligence, and effortless movement, calling him “a natural.”Daniel Sturridge added that expectations favored Yamal, but Estevao delivered a brilliant performance that captured the headlines.Yamal left to jeers in the 80th minute, while Estevao departed to a standing ovation just minutes later. Teen Titans Compared Estevao and Yamal, born three months apart in 2007, are now the most…

Guardiola said on Friday that the season started then following the conclusion of the last international break of the year, but City are yet to get going since the resumption. They would have been expected to bounce back after suffering defeat at St James’ Park at the weekend, but the Spaniard made a glut of changes to his starting line-up, much to the surprise of most in attendance at Etihad Stadium. It led to a disjointed showing from the English side and fringe players such as Omar Marmoush, Oscar Bobb and Savinho failed to take the opportunity offered to them…