Aaron Wan-Bissaka could miss two months of action for Man Utd after suffering a hamstring injury.

Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has claimed Chelsea made an offer to sign Dusan Vlahovic over the summer, but not one that they could deem acceptable. Romelu Lukaku was floated as a makeweight in negotiations.

Adley Rutschman homered and drove in three runs, Grayson Rodriguez pitched into the sixth inning and the Baltimore Orioles lowered their magic number to one in the AL East with a 5-1 victory over the Washington Nationals

The Za'Darius Smith trade benefits both the Vikings, who needed cap relief, and Browns, who needed help on defense. One team came out ahead even so.With June 1 coming up quick, the Vikings have been trying to figure out how to get their cap under control while still getting something in ret...

Todd Bowles is adamant

The Spanish league begins this week with the title favorites facing a transition year and squad changes that might open the door for other challengers

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone was suspended one game for his conduct toward umpires and said he's not going to change.New York Yankees fans may question Aaron Boone's managerial skills, but what they can't deny is that he knows how to give umpires the business and get throw...

Newcastle showed it is ready to build on last season’s top-four finish by dismantling Aston Villa 5-1 in their opening Premier League game of the campaign

Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskheli helped an "ice-cold" Napoli secure a narrow Champions League victory at Union Berlin on Tuesday, laying on the game's only goal for Giacomo...

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has slammed the FIA and labelled Red Bull’s penalty last year for breaching the cost cap as a “big joke.” Red Bull, who have won the drivers’ title in the last two years and are on track to do so with Max Verstappen again this year, were found guilty of a minor financial overspend for 2021 and were handed a £6m fine and docked 10 per cent of their car development time. However, the penalty has had little impact on Red Bull’s progress having won all 12 races so far this year – and Christian Horner’s team have won 22 of the last 23 grands prix overall. Ex-Alfa Romeo chief Vasseur, who took over at Ferrari from Mattia Binotto before the start of this season, insists the punishment should have been a lot harsher on Red Bull. "A penalty like last year really isn’t severe. If it should be necessary again, such a penalty should be much heavier,” the Frenchman told Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport. "You have to keep in mind that a technical advantage will translate into a sporting advantage. Therefore, the penalty should be sporting and not a fine. “In soccer, if you use a hand, it’s a penalty... they don’t give you a [non-sporting] penalty. “The deduction of 10 per cent wind tunnel time is a big joke. They have already done most of the work by then." Verstappen is currently on a win-streak of eight and can match Sebastian Vettel’s all-time record from 2013 of nine with victory at his home race next up in Zandvoort. Ferrari, meanwhile, have not won a race since Austria last year and are currently fourth in the Constructors’ Championship behind Red Bull, Mercedes and Aston Martin. F1 returns after the summer break next week with the Dutch Grand Prix (25-27 August). Read More F1 2023 mid-season awards: Best driver, worst race and biggest surprise Carlos Sainz interview: ‘All of us at Ferrari expected more – we haven’t done the best job’ ‘It was pretty wild’: F1 champion Max Verstappen learns how to drift ‘It was pretty wild’: F1 champion Max Verstappen learns how to drift ‘Incredible’ Norris backed for more podium success by Verstappen and Perez F1 2023 calendar: All 23 Grand Prix this year

If you’ve won the past two World Cups, it seems fair to go into the next tournament with confidence. Naturally, the USA are comfortable in such a position. “Good luck with that,” Alex Morgan says in a pre-World Cup advert which centres around the topic of ‘how the rest of the world can stop the USA’. The four-time champions head into Australia and New Zealand on a high having formally signed their historic equal pay agreement last year - they filed their discrimination lawsuit against US Soccer before the previous World Cup in 2019. On the pitch, for the past eight years they’ve been the best, and they know it. But for how much longer? That will really be the defining question of this World Cup. At the Tokyo Olympics they were stunned by Sweden and then in the semi-finals by Canada, only finishing with a bronze medal. Last year, they lost three consecutive games to England, Spain and Germany. Europe, where the growth of women’s football has been driven by the European club game, is catching up. The USA squad is four years older: Morgan is 34, Megan Rapinoe, who will be retiring at the end of the season, is 37, and although several stars of the 2019 side remain, such as Rose Lavelle and Crystal Dunn, head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s squad contains 14 players who will be making their first appearances at the World Cup. There are two distinct generations in the squad, the old and the new, but it’s been some time since a USA team has been this inexperienced coming into a World Cup. Losing captain and centre-back Becky Sauerbrunn and star forwards Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario to injury just months before the tournament were key blows, as well. But the flip side is it gives the next generation the chance to shine. There are high hopes for Sophia Smith, who is the reigning USA player of the year, while the youngest member in the squad is the 18-year-old forward Alyssa Thompson. The first pick in the NWSL Draft last year is a potential breakout star. The USA should progress comfortably, although a rematch of the 2019 final against the Netherlands is one of the best fixtures in the group stage. The Dutch still have an impressive array of talent at their disposal, despite losing their star forward Vivianne Miedema to an ACL Injury, but a repeat of the performance four years ago would be a surprise. Both Portugal and Vietnam will be making their World Cup debuts and face experienced campaigners having drawn the finalists from last time out. United States Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars) Defenders: Alana Cook (OL Reign), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Kelley O’Hara (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign) Midfielders: Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville), Julie Ertz (Angel City), Lindsey Horan (Lyon), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit) Forwards: Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham) Group fixtures (all times BST) Saturday 22 July: USA vs Vietnam (02:00, Eden Park) Thursday 27 July: USA vs Netherlands (02:00 local time, Wellington Regional Stadium) Thursday 1 August: Portugal vs USA (08:00 local time, Eden Park) Key player Alex Morgan, the face of the US team and joint top scorer in France four years ago, is back for her fourth World Cup, arguably better than ever. Since helping the US to back-to-back titles, Morgan has given birth to her first child and at 33 is still scoring regularly in the NWSL. With forwards Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario, who would have competed for Morgan’s place in the side, out due to injury, the USA need their leader more than ever. The coach Vlatko Andonovski took over from Jill Ellis following the 2019 World Cup, faced with the task of taking a winning yet ageing team and transforming the squad. Perhaps there were always going to be bumps in the road and the 3-0 defeat to Sweden at the 2021 Olympics, which ended the team’s 44-match unbeaten run, was a sign of the challenge the Macedonian-American faces. Injuries before the World Cup have not helped. What are their chances? No other team comes close to the USA’s history in the World Cup. With titles in 1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019, they are looking to become the first country ever to win three World Cups in a row, men’s or women’s. As always, the expectation will be high. The US has the biggest following of any team at the tournament and anything less than a fifth World Cup will be considered to be a huge disappointment. The rise of the leading European teams, England, Spain, France and Germany, means the competition has never been greater. Netherlands Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Daphne van Domselaar (FC Twente), Lize Kop (Ajax), Jacintha Weimar (Feyenoord) Defenders: Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City), Caitlin Dijkstra (Twente), Merel van Dongen (Atletico Madrid), Stefanie van der Gragt (Inter Milan), Dominique Janssen (Wolfsburg), Aniek Nouwen (AC Milan), Lynn Wilms (Wolfsburg) Midfielders: Jill Baijings (Bayer Leverkusen), Danielle van de Donk (Lyon), Damaris Egurrola (Lyon), Jackie Groenen (PSG), Wieke Kaptein (FC Twente) Victoria Pelova (Arsenal), Jill Roord (Wolfsburg), Sherida Spitse (Ajax) Forwards: Lineth Beerensteyn (Juventus), Esmee Brugts (PSV), Renate Jansen (FC Twente), Lieke Martens (PSG), Katja Snoeijs (Everton) Group fixtures (all times BST) Sunday 23 July: Netherlands vs Portugal (08:30, Dunedin Stadium) Thursday 27 July: USA vs Netherlands (02:00, Wellington Regional Stadium) Thursday 1 August: Vietnam vs Netherlands (08:00 local time, Dunedin-Stadion) One to watch With Vivianne Miedema one of a number of star players across the World Cup to be ruled out with an ACL injury, the Netherlands will turn to a relatively unknown prospect for goals. Fenna Kalma only made her international debut in September but comes into the World Cup having scored 30 goals in just 20 appearances for FC Twente last season. Whether Kalma can take the step up is another question, but Lieke Martens, Danielle van de Donk and Jill Roord will hope to provide her with plenty of service. The coach Having won the Euros in 2017 and reaching the World Cup final in 2019, Sarina Wiegman left big shoes to fill upon departing the Netherlands. Mark Parsons, the Englishman, did not last long after the Dutch were knocked out of the Euros last summer in the quarter-finals, but Andries Jonker appears to be a more natural fit. An assistant to Louis van Gaal at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Jonker’s tactics appear to be inspired by his former boss. What are their chances? The Netherlands’ golden years under Wiegman and the amount of talent in Jonker’s squad have created the impression that the Dutch should be contenders in Australia and New Zealand this summer. It’s hard to read where the team are actually at, however. Results have been inconsistent over the past year and although they should reach the knockout stages without too many problems, their performance against the US should tell us more about their chances. Portugal Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Rute Costa (Benfica), Ines Pereira (Servette), Patricia Morais (Braga) Defenders: Ana Seica (Benfica), Carole da Silva Costa (Benfica), Catarina Amado (Benfica), Diana Gomes (Sevilla), Joana Marchao (Parma), Lucia Alves (Benfica), Silvia Rebelo (Benfica) Midfielders: Ana Rute (Braga), Andreia Norton (Benfica), Andreia Jacinto (Real Sociedad), Dolores Silva (Braga), Fatima Pinto (Deportivo Alaves), Kika Nazareth (Benfica), Tatiana Pinto (Levante) Forwards: Ana Borges (Sporting CP), Ana Capeta (Sporting CP), Carolina Mendes (Braga), Diana Silva (Sporting CP), Jessica Silva (Benfica), Telma Encarnacao (CS Maritimo) Group fixtures (all times BST) Saturday 23 July: Netherlands vs Portugal (08:30, Dunedin) Thursday 27 July: Portugal vs Vietnam (08:30, Hamilton) Thursday 1 August: Portugal vs USA (08:00, Auckland) Star player Jessica Silva is a baller who belongs on the World Cup stage. The Benfica forward has a tall and languid style but is devastating on the ball and is one of the most skillful attackers in the game. The coach Francisco Neto has helped Portugal along its steady upward trajectory since taking charge in 2014. They enter their first World Cup ranked at their highest ever position of 21st in the world, but will be looking to show they should still be much higher. What are their chances? Portugal will look to soak up pressure and sit back on their defensive organisation before hitting on the counter-attack. It frustrated England in a 0-0 draw before the World Cup, and could trouble the USA and Netherlands. But this is undoubtedly a hard group. Vietnam Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Tran Thị Kim Thanh (Ho Chi Minh), Khong Thị Hang (Than KSVN), Dao Thị Kieu Oanh (Hanoi) Defenders: Chuong Thi Kieu (Ho Chi Minh), Tran Thi Thu Thao (Ho Chi Minh), Tran Thi Thu (Ho Chi Minh), Hoang Thi Loan (Hanoi), Tran Thi Hai Linh (Hanoi), Le Thi Diem My (Than KSVN), Luong ThiThu Thuong (Than KSVN), Nguyen Thi My Anh (Thai Nguyen), Tran Thi Thuy Nga (Thai Nguyen) Midfielders: Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung (Ha Nam), Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy (Ho Chi Minh), Tran Thi Thuy Trang (Ho Chi Minh), Ngan Thi Vạn Su (Hanoi), Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha (Hanoi), Thai Thi Thao (Hanoi), Duong Thi Van (Than KSVN) Forwards: Phạm Hai Yen (Hanoi), Vu Thi Hoa (Ho Chi Minh), Nguyen Thị Thuy Hang (Than KSVN), Huynh Nhu (Lank Vilaverdense) Group fixtures (all times BST) Saturday 22 July: USA vs Vietnam (02:00, Eden Park) Thursday 27 July: Portugal vs Vietnam (08:30, Hamilton) Thursday 1 August: Vietnam vs Netherlands (08:00 local time, Dunedin-Stadion) One to watch As the only player in the Vietnam squad to play their football outside of the country and in Europe, striker Huynh Nhu will be familiar with some of her Group E rivals. The 32-year-old, who is Vietnam’s record goalscorer, plays for Portuguese side Lank Vilaverdense. The coach The experienced coach Mai Duc Chung, taking charge of his first and last major tournament, will look to bring the defensive organisation that earned Vietnam their historic place in the World Cup finals. Vietnam are one of the youngest teams in the tournament, with the women’s team only formed in 1990. What are their chances? Vietnam are featuring in their first ever World Cup, men’s or women’s, and the size of their task is clear. The USA and the Netherlands are two of the most experienced sides at the tournament, while Portugal have quality they could only dream of. Vietnam have plenty of spirit but getting at least a point would be considered a success. Read More Who are the threats to the Lionesses at the Women’s World Cup? Can Spain regroup from mutiny to challenge for the Women’s World Cup? The inspiration behind Australia’s shot at home World Cup glory ‘Empowered’ England won’t be distracted by bonus row, Lucy Bronze insists Germany and Alexandra Popp are out for revenge - the World Cup is the perfect chance Can Sweden turn heartbreak into Women’s World Cup history?

Basketball star Russell Westbrook has revealed he is a part of the consortium led by 49ers Enterprises which is poised to take full ownership of Leeds. Los Angeles Clippers point guard Westbrook, who won the NBA’s most valuable player award in 2017, has followed American golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas in becoming a minor stakeholder in Leeds. Westbrook, according to Forbes the 14th highest-paid athlete in the world, said he had invested in the Yorkshire club at a sports and entertainment summit held by Sportico. The 34-year-old said: “I was lucky enough to have conversations with some of the partners in this deal, who already have ownership, the 49ers. “So I was lucky enough to talk through that with friends, talking with my business partner as well about different things and having conversations, figuring out if this was the right deal and how we could make it different.” Westbrook, who signed with the Clippers from the Los Angeles Lakers in February, is a nine-time NBA All-Star. Three-time major winner Spieth has confirmed he and Thomas had become minority stakeholders in Leeds earlier this week, but fellow golfer Rickie Fowler pulled out of a deal when the club were relegated from the Premier League in May. Leeds’ joint-owners 49ers Enterprises, the financial arm of NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers, have bought former chairman Andrea Radrizzani’s majority 56 per cent shareholding. The English Football League is currently carrying out its owners and directors test before it sanctions the 49ers’ full takeover.