The Australian went down in three sets to Japanese qualifier Sho Shimabukuro in the Wimbledon warm-up event in Stuttgart.

It's inevitable. There will be a surprise team that wrecks the bracket and a shocking early exit in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On that note, which country will be the surprise early departure from the tournament? "You want shock? Brazil," FOX analyst Maurice Edu said when asked to give his "shock early exit team" on "FIFA World Cup NOW." "Brazil plays Morocco in its opening game. I think the winner of that game decides the group, and if Brazil doesn't beat Morocco, guess who they play in the knockout round? The Netherlands, and I think the Netherlands put them out in the first round if they don't win the group." Brazil, which was eliminated in the quarterfinal round of the 2022 World Cup and in the quarterfinal round of the 2024 Copa Amrica, is in Group C with the aforementioned Morocco, Scotland and Haiti in the 2026 World Cup. "I'm going with Germany," Scott said for her "shock early exit" team. "In terms of their form, I think they're still in this transition phase where they're still building when we think of the Germany of old. I don't think teams fear them like they used to." Meanwhile, Peter Crouch agreed about Germany, while Kasper Schemeichel opted for the Netherlands. At the last World Cup, Germany was eliminated in the group stage after getting just four points from its three games (a draw against Spain and win over Costa Rica). At Euro 2024, the Germans were eliminated by Spain, the eventual champion of the tournament, in the quarterfinals. Then-21-year-old midfielder Jamal Musiala was the star of the show for Germany, scoring three goals over its five games in the latter tournament. As for the 2026 World Cup, Germany resides in Group E with the Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Curaao, with the first game coming against Curaao on Sunday, June 14 (1 p.m. ET on FOX One/FOX).

The Mexican attacker missed nine months with a horrible injury in 2020, he lost his father in March, and on Thursday, he scored his first World Cup goal

2026 World Cup of Darts Day 1 live results, scores and group stage standings: Germany's Schindler and Pietreczko whitewash the Philippines originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The World Cup of Darts kicks off on Thursday, with 12 group-stage matches taking place in Frankfurt on Day 1.Several notable players will take the stage today, including Jonny Clayton, Martin Schindler, Damon Heta, Krzysztof Ratajski and Mike De Decker.2026 World Cup of Darts Day 1 schedule & resultsHere is the schedule and results from Day 1.MORE:2026 World Cup of Darts: Draw, schedule, prize money and format explainedMatchDateTime (local)ScoreCzech Republic vs. India (H)Thurs., June. 117:15p.m.4-0Croatia vs. Japan (K)Thurs., June. 117:35 p.m.3-4Finland vs. Norway (L)Thurs., June. 118:00 p.m.3-4Ireland vs. Singapore (D)Thurs., June. 118:20 p.m.4-1Poland vs. Portugal (E)Thurs., June. 118:45 p.m.4-1Sweden vs. South Africa (F)Thurs., June. 119:05 p.m.4-2Latvia vs. Italy (J)Thurs., June. 119:30 p.m.4-2Belgium vs. HongKong (B)Thurs., June. 119:50 p.m.2-4Germany vs. Philippines (A)Thurs., June. 1110:15 p.m.4-0Wales vs. Lithuania (C)Thurs., June. 1110:35 p.m.4-1Austria vs. China (I)Thurs., June. 1111:00 p.m.4-1Australia vs. USA (G)Thurs., June. 1111:20 p.m.3-42026 World Cup of Darts group stage standingsHere are the standings for the group stage.*The top country in each group will advance to the knockout stage, joining the four teams with a bye (England, Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Scotland)MORE:2026 World Cup of Darts group stage winner predictions and previews:Germany and Belgium in real dangerGroup APos.TeamPWLLFLA+/-Pts1Germany(5)11040+422New Zealand00000003Philippines10104-40Group BPos.TeamPWLLFLA+/-Pts1Hong Kong11042+222Slovenia00000003Belgium (6)10124-20Group CPos.TeamPWLLFLA+/-Pts1Wales (7)11041+322Thailand00000003Lithuania10114-30Group DPos.TeamPWLLFLA+/-Pts1Ireland (8)11041+322Gibraltar00000003Singapore10114-30Group EPos.TeamPWLLFLA+/-Pts1Poland (9)11041+322Switzerland00000003Portugal10114-30Group FPos.TeamPWLLFLA+/-Pts1Sweden (10)11042+222Mongolia00000003South Africa10124-20Group GPos.TeamPWLLFLA+/-Pts1United States11043+122Canada00000003Australia (11)10134-10Group HPos.TeamPWLLFLA+/-Pts1Czech Republic (12)11040+422Denmark00000003India10104-40Group IPos.TeamPWLLFLA+/-Pts1Austria (13)11041+322France00000003China10114-30Group JPos.TeamPWLLFLA+/-Pts1Latvia (14)11042+222Trinidad and Tobago00000003Italy10124-20Group KPos.TeamPWLLFLA+/-Pts1Japan11043+122Spain00000003Croaita (15)10134-10Group LPos.TeamPWLLFLA+/-Pts1Norway11043+122Hungary00000003Finland (16)10134-10More Darts articles:2026 World Cup of Darts confirmed pairs and countries: Wales loses Price, van Gerwen returns for Netherlands5 countries that can upset England's Luke Littler & Luke Humphries at 2026 World Cup of DartsLuke Littler contract details: Teenage phenom signs richest endorsement deal in darts historyHow much prize money did Luke Littler earn in the 2026 Premier League of Darts season?Gerwyn Price proposes intriguing Premier League Darts format change, with royal rumble component

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Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, was on Thursday named to officiate UEFAs Super Cup, European footballs governing body announced.

For all the strife, greed, grift and grandstanding that has pockmarked the build-up to this tournament, the 2026 World Cup began with a blessing in the Azteca Stadium.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons office threatened the Big 12 Conference with legal action if any attempt is made to sanction Texas Tech University over plans to play quarterback Brendan Sorsby in the upcoming season.The NCAA banned Sorsby from participating in football after court filings showed the student athlete placed at least $90,000 in sports bets while attending Texas Tech and playing football at two other universities. He placed bets on his own team while playing at Indiana, and when in Texas, where sports betting is illegal, sent money to people in other states to bet on his behalf, according to court filings.Sorsby sued to regain his eligibility, and on Monday a state district judge in Lubbock blocked the NCAA from prohibiting Sorsby from playing most of the upcoming season. The judges order also stipulates Sorsby must continue treatment for his gambling disorder and sit out the first two games of the season. The NCAA is appealing. The judge set a Feb. 8 trial on the matter, after the football season concludes.The ruling sparked criticism from officials at other universities and threats to cancel sporting events that include Texas Tech. In a letter sent Thursday on behalf of Texas Tech, Paxtons office warned the Big 12 that any effort to disadvantage the university would be illegal, prompting a swift reprisal from the attorney generals office. The total exposure for both the Big 12 and its members, jointly and severally will be substantially more than $200 million, said the letter signed by Thomas York, chief of the agencys antitrust division. The letter, first reported by The Athletic, came a day after Texas Tech Board of Regents Chair Cody Campbell said there would be a legal fight if teams or conferences boycott the university, calling it an antitrust violation on the Dont @ Me with Dan Dakich show.The Big 12 Conference and Texas Tech didnt immediately respond to comment requests. In late April, Texas Tech announced 22-year-old Sorsby was diagnosed with gambling disorder and would be admitted into a rehabilitation center in Arizona. In a statement posted on the Texas Tech website, university athletic director Kirby Hocutt defended Sorsbys eligibility and asked for critics to understand the nuance of Sorsbys addiction.A young man in treatment for a clinically diagnosed addiction exercised his legal right to seek a remedy in court, and a judge agreed with him, Hocutt said. Our role has been to support his recovery, not to engineer his eligibility.Sorsby transferred to Texas Tech from the University of Cincinnati in January and has not yet played a game on the team.Sorsbys legal team for the lawsuit includes Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock. A spokesperson for the speakers office referred questions about Sorsbys case to Burrows private law practice. Disclosure: Texas Tech University has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism.This article first appeared on The Texas Tribune.

Phil Mickelson has been expelled from The Farms Golf Club in California following allegations that he made unwanted physical contact with a female staff member earlier this spring.The 55-year-old American, who has claimed six major titles during his illustrious career, was reportedly confronted during a round of golf and instructed to leave the premises immediately.According to Golf Digest, the incident occurred at the clubhouse before Mickelson began playing. The former PGA Tour star, who now competes on the LIV Golf circuit, departed before finishing his round.A representative for the married golfer declined to address specific details of the allegations.Multiple sources report that Mickelson approached the woman at the clubhouse, where he allegedly made physical contact that was neither consensual nor appropriate. The employee rebuffed his advances and promptly informed her supervisors of what had transpired.Club officials responded swiftly, launching a review and investigation into the matter. They subsequently located Mickelson whilst he was still playing and confronted him with the accusation on the course itself."Following that confrontation, he was told to vacate the premises and left the course before completing his round," Golf Digest reported.The club acted decisively once the staff member came forward with her complaint.The Farms Golf Club issued a statement affirming its dedication to providing a safe and respectful environment that upholds the highest standards of conduct."All members are required to adhere to our Code of Conduct, and any allegations of misconduct are taken seriously," the club stated.Officials confirmed they provided immediate support to the staff member involved and commissioned an independent investigation into the matter. The club emphasised that it conducts thorough reviews of all reported incidents in accordance with California law.Citing concerns for the safety and privacy of both staff and members, the club declined to comment further on the specifics of the case.A spokesperson for Mickelson sought to downplay the situation, stating: "Any misunderstanding has been cleared up. Phil continues to attend to a family health matter and is uncertain when he will be able to return to professional golf."The golfer announced in February that he was stepping away from competitive play due to a family health issue, and his return to the sport remains unclear.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter