Author: Associated Press

FIFA is expected to announce on Thursday that the U.S. and the U.K. will be selected as hosts for the expanded Women’s World Cup, which will grow from 32 to 48 teams. FIFA President Gianni Infantino informed European football officials that the U.S. is the only nation to express interest in hosting the 2031 edition, with the potential for other CONCACAF countries, likely including Mexico, to join the bid. Infantino also said FIFA has received just one “valid bid” to host the 2035 edition, from the British member federations, centered on England. Spanish football officials said last week they hoped…

No one understands better than Liam Lawson how quickly fortunes can shift in the high-stakes world of Formula One. Just last week, the New Zealander was unexpectedly relegated to Racing Bulls after struggling in his first two races with the top-tier Red Bull team in Australia and China. Lawson started the season with a disappointing 18th-place qualifying position at the Australian Grand Prix before crashing out of the race. In China, he qualified at the back for both the sprint and main events, finishing 14th and 12th, respectively. Meanwhile, Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, who missed out on a promotion when…

Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart has been hit with a two-game suspension, while four other players from the Pistons and Timberwolves received one-game bans for their roles in an on-court altercation earlier this week, the NBA announced Tuesday. Citing Stewart’s “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts,” the league handed him the harshest penalty. One-game suspensions were issued to Detroit’s Ron Holland II and Marcus Sasser, along with Minnesota’s Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo. All five were ejected from Sunday’s game, along with Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff and Timberwolves assistant Pablo Prigioni. “Obviously, things went too far,” Bickerstaff said after the game. “But what…

Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller may be nearing the end of his illustrious career, with media reports suggesting the club will not extend his contract beyond this season. The 35-year-old’s current deal expires in June, and both SportBild and Kicker magazine report that Bayern is likely to prioritize savings over offering him a new contract. Muller, who made his Bayern debut under Jurgen Klinsmann in 2008, rose to prominence under Louis van Gaal the following season. Since then, he has become the club’s all-time appearance leader, with 742 matches across all competitions, including 247 goals, as well as multiple Super…

Bronny James got the surprise call to play in the first quarter for the Lakers and finished with the first serious playing time of his NBA career. It wasn’t great. Bronny took off on a fast break and his shot was rejected by Adam Bona. He got torched by 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey any time they were remotely matched up. His box score, well, it wasn’t any better: Bronny was scoreless for the Lakers in their 118-104 loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday night. He missed three 3-pointers, all five shots overall and had three turnovers. Bronny played 15 minutes just…

Bronny James got the surprise call to play in the first quarter for the Lakers and finished with the first serious playing time of his NBA career. It wasn’t great. Bronny took off on a fast break and his shot was rejected by Adam Bona. He got torched by 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey any time they were remotely matched up. His box score, well, it wasn’t any better: Bronny was scoreless for the Lakers in their 118-104 loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday night. He missed three 3-pointers, all five shots overall and had three turnovers. Bronny played 15 minutes just…

Bronny James got the surprise call to play in the first quarter for the Lakers and finished with the first serious playing time of his NBA career. It wasn’t great. Bronny took off on a fast break and his shot was rejected by Adam Bona. He got torched by 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey any time they were remotely matched up. His box score, well, it wasn’t any better: Bronny was scoreless for the Lakers in their 118-104 loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday night. He missed three 3-pointers, all five shots overall and had three turnovers. Bronny played 15 minutes just…

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and Brazilian star striker Neymar has terminated their contract by mutual consent, the club confirmed on Monday. The Brazilian, once hailed by teammates and rivals as one of the world’s best footballers, played only seven matches for the Saudi club and scored one goal, as he spent most of his time since October 2023 sidelined due to an ACL injury. The deal was due to expire after Al-Hilal’s participation in this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, which will be played between June 15 and July 13 in the United States. The club said in a…

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and Brazilian star striker Neymar has terminated their contract by mutual consent, the club confirmed on Monday. The Brazilian, once hailed by teammates and rivals as one of the world’s best footballers, played only seven matches for the Saudi club and scored one goal, as he spent most of his time since October 2023 sidelined due to an ACL injury. The deal was due to expire after Al-Hilal’s participation in this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, which will be played between June 15 and July 13 in the United States. The club said in a…

An injured Novak Djokovic quit because of a torn muscle in his left leg after dropping the first set of his Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev on Friday. Djokovic lost the opener 7-6 (5) and immediately walked around the net to concede the match to Zverev and shake hands. Spectators booed as the 37-year-old Djokovic walked off toward the locker room, and he stopped, turned around and responded by giving two thumbs-up. At his news conference, Djokovic said the pain in his left leg was “getting worse and worse.” He hurt it during his quarterfinal victory over Carlos Alcaraz…