Football/Soccer 3 Hours

Last updated: June 16, 2026, 8:39 PM ET

World Cup Openers

In New Jersey, Kylian Mbappé scored twice to propel France to a 3‑1 Group I win over Senegal, simultaneously moving ahead of Lionel Messi in the all‑time World Cup scoring list and becoming France’s record scorer. While Mbappé dominated headlines, Michael Olise’s disciplined forward play earned him the match‑day rating crown, underscoring France’s balanced attack. The victory marked the first Group I clash of the tournament and set the tone for France’s campaign.

U.S. Visa Resolutions

The United States State Department announced that Mehdi Torabi’s visa obstacle has been cleared, allowing the Iranian striker to re‑enter the U.S. for the upcoming World Cup. This development follows a similar setback for Ghana’s Thomas Partey, who will miss Ghana’s opener after a visa appeal was denied, highlighting ongoing diplomatic tensions that can affect squad line‑ups. The resolution for Torabi restores a key attacking option for Iran, potentially altering their tactical approach in the group stage.

Coaching Culture Shift

United States midfielder Sebastian Berhalter reflected on the cultural shift induced by manager Mauricio Pochettino, noting that the Argentine has embedded a mentality of not “taking s---” into the squad. Berhalter’s observation points to a broader tactical evolution as the U.S. team prepares to face France, suggesting a more assertive, fearless style that could counterbalance France’s technical prowess.

Golf and Tennis Sidebars

While football headlines dominate, the 126th U.S. Open men’s golf leaderboard at Shinnecock Hills continues to evolve, offering a parallel narrative of high‑stakes competition in the same city hosting the World Cup opener. Meanwhile, golfer Scottie Scheffler has publicly dismissed the career Grand Slam as a motivational factor, stating he will not view a missed U.S. Open title as a failure. These snippets illustrate the diverse sporting events unfolding concurrently in New Jersey.