General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: July 16, 2026, 5:31 PM ET

World Cup Fever Grips New York as Final Approaches

New York City is the epicenter of the global sports world this week, hosting a multitude of high-profile events. The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is set to captivate audiences worldwide, with only two teams remaining in contention for the ultimate prize. Adding to the excitement, the ESPYS 2026 celebrated athletic achievements, with Jalen Brunson and A'ja Wilson among the notable award recipients. LeBron James is also slated to appear at Fanatics Fest as part of the city's packed schedule. In a piece of sports memorabilia history, a shirt worn by Pele during the 1958 World Cup final fetched an astonishing $4.9 million at a Sotheby's auction. Meanwhile, England's rugby squad has strategically relocated their Buenos Aires base to avoid potential World Cup celebrations should Argentina's football team advance.

Golf's Major and Club Competition Heats Up

The Open Championship is underway at Royal Birkdale, with golfers vying for major glory. Rory McIlroy admitted that "too many stupid mistakes" hampered his opening round, leaving him seven shots off the lead after a 72. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler posted a 2-under 68 in his first round despite an early errant shot. Bob Mac Intyre expressed satisfaction with his opening round, calling it "exactly" what he wanted. Dan Brown is among the English contingent hoping to contend, though he also apologized for smoking during his first round. Amidst the tournament, there's discussion about the potential for an English winner on home soil for the first time in nearly 60 years. David Howard, who qualified for The Open despite a cystic fibrosis diagnosis at age seven, shared his inspiring journey.

Rugby Union Sees Player Movements and International Fixtures

The rugby union landscape is active with player transfers and international matches. Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit is looking to make a greater impact next season after his first year back in the sport. Rivals Cardiff and Ospreys have agreed to a move for promising fly-half Harri Wilde for the 2025-26 United Rugby Championship season. Former Bristol lock Chris Vui is "devastated" after receiving a doping ban until July 2027. In international fixtures, England has named an unchanged XV to face Argentina, with new caps Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Noah Caluori, and Henry Pollock on the bench. Scotland has made significant changes, with 14 alterations to their squad for their match against Fiji. Ireland is preparing for a challenging Nations Championship match against New Zealand at Eden Park, with Conor Murray acknowledging the venue's daunting nature but seeing a "small 1%" chance of success.

WNBA and Basketball News

The WNBA is seeing strong performances and discussions around coaching. The Indiana Fever are on a hot streak, moving up to No. 4 in the WNBA Power Rankings, with Kelsey Mitchell delivering her sixth consecutive game of 25 or more points. Minnesota's Olivia Miles achieved a career milestone, 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, leading the Lynx to a win over the Phoenix Mercury. Wings star Paige Bueckers has spoken out about the lack of Black women head coaches in the WNBA, advocating for equal opportunities. In college basketball news, former Kansas player Lagerald Vick has been charged with attempted first-degree murder in Tennessee.

College Football and Future Talent

in college football, NC State's CJ Bailey is seen as a strong candidate for a breakout 2026 season, with his coach calling him potentially the country's best quarterback. New Miami quarterback Darian Mensah cited the success of Cam Ward and Carson Beck as a significant factor in his transfer decision. The ACC has introduced a new tiebreaker policy for its football championship game, aiming to ensure the league's two best teams are featured. In recruiting news for the 2027 class, Jayla Forbes, ranked as the No. 13 player and second-ranked post, has committed to Texas.

Other Sports News and Noteworthy Events

In other sports news, the World Series of Poker main event final table has been set, with nine players competing for the $10 million first prize. UFC 329 saw standout performances from Paddy Pimblett and Gable Steveson, which helped elevate the event. Michael 'Venom' Page is set to face Nursulton Ruziboev in a middleweight bout at UFC Paris on September 5. Former England captain Ben Stokes is scheduled to play for Durham in the One-Day Cup next week, marking his first game since retiring from international cricket. Double Olympic champion Sunisa Lee announced her return to competition after a two-year absence. Female tennis players faced a significant number of abusive posts in 2025, according to a new report. In a move towards more respectful coverage, new camera guidelines have been released for female athletics events.