General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: July 16, 2026, 11:31 AM ET

Soccer World Cup Nears Conclusion, Baseball Season Heats Up

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is down to its final two teams, with dreams of glory on the line down to its final two. Meanwhile, the MLB season is entering its second half, and the 2026 Major League Baseball betting guide is available for those looking for prop bets. In international football, experienced Belgian defender Thomas Meunier has signed for Sunderland after his contract with Lille expired signs for Sunderland.

Golfers Tee Off at Open Championship, Tennis Stars Face Online Abuse

The 2026 Open Championship is underway at Royal Birkdale, with Bob Mac Intyre posting a "exactly" desired first-round 67. Experts and betting analysts are weighing in on the favorites and potential value plays. Golfers are sharing their experiences, with some highlighting the beauty of the course and the excitement of the competition. However, the sport isn't without its challenges, as Matt Fitzpatrick noted that sports betting is contributing to personal abuse directed at players. In a concerning trend for women's tennis, a new report revealed that female players received 12,000 abusive posts in 2025. French tennis player Samuel Bensoussan's ban for match-fixing has also been extended by three years.

Rugby Union Sees Player Movements and International Showdowns

In Welsh rugby, promising fly-half Harri Wilde is set to move to rivals Ospreys for the 2025-26 United Rugby Championship season. Internationally, Scotland has made significant changes, naming 14 players for their Nations Championship game against Fiji. England will field an unchanged starting XV against Argentina. Wales captain Dewi Lake has recovered from an injury scare and is named to face South Africa in the Nations Championship. However, Lake is later reported to be set to miss the South Africa Test due to injury. Ireland is recalling key players, including fit-again wing Robert Baloucoune, for their match against New Zealand. Former Bristol lock Chris Vui has expressed devastation after receiving a doping ban until July 2027.

WNBA Season In Full Swing, Player Performances Highlighted

The WNBA is seeing strong performances, with A'ja Wilson, Brittney Griner, and Breanna Stewart recognized as top rim protectors. Caitlin Clark expressed frustration after a missed call in the Indiana Fever's 88-75 loss to the Valkyries. The Minnesota Lynx secured a victory, with rookie Olivia Miles scoring a career-high 33 points and becoming the first WNBA player to reach 400 points, 100 rebounds, and 100 assists in just 22 games. Paige Bueckers has spoken out about the lack of Black women head coaches in the WNBA, advocating for equal opportunities. In Fantasy Women's Basketball rankings, Marina Mabrey has moved into the top 10. The Indiana Fever are "running hot" in the WNBA Power Rankings, moving up to No. 4, while Golden State holds the top spot.

College Football and Basketball Seasons Approach

In college football, NC State's quarterback CJ Bailey is positioned for a breakthrough 2026 season, with his coach calling him "country's best". New Miami QB Darian Mensah cited the success of Cam Ward and Carson Beck as a significant factor in his transfer decision. The ACC has implemented a new tiebreaker policy for its football championship game to ensure the two best teams are featured. In college basketball, Texas is ahead of schedule in their quest to be a Final Four contender. The NCAA is facing a federal class action lawsuit from 11 Division I athletes alleging that new eligibility rules have adversely affected them. the NCAA women's basketball tournament will begin seeding teams by their true ranking.

Formula 1 and Other Sports News

Red Bull Racing is set to change its rear wing following high-speed crashes involving Max Verstappen. Lando Norris will incur a 10-place grid penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix due to exceeding engine part limits. Questions persist about potential team changes, including whether Verstappen would move to McLaren. In boxing, Wales' Jak Jones secured his first professional title, defeating David Gilbert 3-2 in the Championship League final. In UFC news, two suspects in a thwarted terror plot targeting a White House event have pleaded not guilty. Michael 'Venom' Page is scheduled to fight Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris on September 5.

Other Notable Sports Headlines

Double Olympic champion Sunisa Lee announced her return to competition after a two-year absence. Ben Stokes is slated to play his first game since retiring from England duty in the One-Day Cup. New guidelines have been issued for broadcasters on respectful camera angles when covering female athletics events. The Sports Humanitarian Awards, ESPYS, Fanatics Fest, and the World Cup final are all set to take place in New York City Big Apple into the center of the sports world. The 2026 World Series of Poker main event final table has been set, with nine players competing for a $10 million prize.