Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty pointed to the fans filling up Sutter Health Park before the Athletics took on the New York Yankees in a recent series, including several wearing jerseys with Sacramento on the front.A region that has often been considered minor league in comparison to bigger California markets like the Bay Area, Los Angeles and San Diego is relishing its role as a way station for the vagabond As and hopes one day to have a Major League Baseball team to call its own to go along with the NBAs Kings.It would mean everything, McCarty said. I think weve always fancied ourselves as a big league city. Having a team here in Sacramento would mean a lot to our city, bring a lot of economic groups to both sides of the river.The region is making what it has dubbed the Sacramento Pitch to be considered for expansion, announcing late last month a commitment of $1 billion in public funding and nearly $800 million more in private investment to the effort. There are still major parts missing in the plan. Most notably, the search for a lead investor to own the team has just started with several candidates expressing interest. There's also uncertainty about if and when MLB plans to expand, and where Sacramento stands on the list of possible candidates.What we have is just only one major league team here. So we have definitely room for having another team," West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero said. We have a strong media market, the population is growing. We have a good economic growth here as well. We have the potential to develop a strong market for a Major League Baseball team here."Sacramento has one major team in US's 20th biggest marketSacramento is the 20th biggest television market in the country and is the largest with only one team in either MLB, the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS and WNBA. There are about 2.7 million people in the metropolitan area that is still viewed by some as an offshoot of the more glamorous San Francisco Bay area.The region is getting a trial run as a major league city as the temporary home of the As, who are playing their second of three planned seasons in West Sacramento after leaving Oakland and waiting for their new stadium to be built in Las Vegas. The A's are set to play one more season here before the move, and the team is already playing two series this week in the Las Vegas area.Attendance has risen from 9,487 fans per game last season to 10,820 through 28 home dates this season, with 12 announced sellouts in a ballpark that can fit a little more than 12,000 fans a game. But local officials are confident a full-time team would have even more support at a new stadium built right next door to the existing Triple-A park.From our perspective, landing Major League Baseball is really a market demonstration statement about who we are, said Barry Broome, the President and CEO of Greater Sacramento Economic Council. We do love baseball. Everybody deep down inside prays well get a phone call from (A's owner) John Fisher and he says, Psych, Im staying.' No one wants to admit they pray for that every day. But we love the Athletics. Itd be awesome, but we didnt. Theyre going to Vegas, so we have to bring in our own team which is fine with us. Sacramento has $1.8 billion in commitments for a new stadiumThe group in Sacramento has raised $800 million in land near the current minor league ballpark and private investment and has access to $1 billion in public funding that comes mostly from property taxes in the area.While economists have expressed doubts about the value of public investment into stadiums and McCarty himself voted against funding Sacramento's NBA arena when he was on the city council, he believes this plan makes more sense. That was more of an impact on the general fund, he said of the plan that led to building Golden 1 Center that opened in downtown Sacramento in 2016. This one I think is the fairest deal for taxpayers and partners to do big projects that we have on the books.There's no timeline yet for MLB expansionMLB's first priority is negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the union. Commissioner Rob Manfred said last week that MLB has told interested cities that a decision on whether to expand won't come until the CBA is complete. Among the other cities vying for a team if it does happen are Charlotte, North Carolina; Montreal; Nashville, Tennessee; Portland, Oregon; and Salt Lake City. Sacramento's biggest competition would likely be the other cities out West.I think the size and scope of the market is really our key advantage, Broome said. Weve also demonstrated we have a turnkey stadium deal now. That can happen under the mayor and the city managers signature. We dont have to pass a bond or anything like that. It took us four months to raise $800 million. I think people underestimate Sacramento. Theres a lot of money in this town. There is a lot economic power in this town. We can do this.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

If youve watched a soccer match featuring Lionel Messi over the past few years, theres a good chance youve noticed another familiar face on the sidelines.Yassine Cheuko has become a social media sensation thanks to his role as Messis personal bodyguard. Known for his intense focus, quick reactions, and constant presence near the soccer superstar, Cheuko has attracted millions of views online as fans marvel at the unique job of protecting one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.While many know him as Messis bodyguard, theres much more to Cheukos story.Before becoming a viral figure, Cheuko built a career in security and protection. His combination of physical fitness, discipline, and situational awareness helped prepare him for one of the most high-profile security roles in sports. Today, his work requires constant attention and the ability to anticipate potential issues before they happen.In recent years, videos have spread across social media with many viewers joking that hes become almost as recognizable as some of the players on the field. His speed and awareness during matches have earned praise from soccer fans around the world.So whats one thing he adds into his physical fitness routine? He swears by Yerba Madres Yerba Mate, a traditional South American herbal tea brewed from the naturally caffeinated, nutrient-rich leaves of the holly tree. Watch as Lauren Kelly chats with Yassine all about his unique career, viral fame, and life protecting one of the most recognizable people on the planet.

Football fans are absolutely fuming after discovering that neither the BBC nor ITV will be showing traditional highlights programmes during this summer's World Cup.The tournament kicked off on Thursday evening with Mexico claiming victory against South Africa at the legendary Azteca Stadium, with ITV broadcasting the match and opening ceremony live.But viewers quickly realised something was missing there's no Match of the Day-style show to help them catch up on the action.While both broadcasters have made clips available on their websites, there won't be any TV highlights packages throughout the entire competition, leaving supporters reliant on the internet to see what they've missed from North America's overnight fixtures.The reaction on social media has been swift and brutal.One viewer, @phildampier, took to X to ask: "Have I got this right? The #BBC and #ITV don't have a morning or afternoon #MOTD style highlights show of #FIFA #WorldCup games we've missed through the night? Diabolical."Another frustrated fan, @ilgrandetoro, wrote: "So there's no highlights shows on either ITV or BBC for the World Cup? That's a bit s*** considering the vast majority of games are overnight."Some pointed out the inconsistency, with @botbforum noting that broadcasters manage to provide highlights coverage for the Olympics, questioning why the World Cup should be any different.Not everyone was sympathetic to the complaints, though.Some viewers suggested it was time to embrace modern technology rather than clinging to traditional TV schedules.@GavinRossPhoto responded: "I know it's hard to believe but there was this thing called the internet invented a few years ago. It allows you to watch TV and highlights of things, like football for example, almost instantly."Others were equally blunt, with @TheVivCross asking: "You do know YouTube is a thing? Who the hell watches the BBC or ITV for highlights any more?"And @mag_tom posed the question: "Can you imagine waiting to watch a highlight TV show in 2026 when YouTube exists?"But those defending the online-only approach were met with some sharp pushback.@dragon35666 made a fair point: "People saying about YouTube and stuff miss the point. Those sort of videos would tell the result before you click the video. We want a mini MOTD where we don't know what happened going in."And @phildampier fired back at critics with a reminder about accessibility: "You do realise 20 per cent of people in the UK don't use the internet don't you but everyone with a TV has to buy a licence?"It's a valid concern millions of licence fee payers are essentially being told to find their own way to catch up on the biggest football tournament on the planet.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

Substitute Cyle Larin equalises for Canada against Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Toronto Stadium at the 2026 World Cup.

Nach Mexikos Sieg jubelt auch der zweite Gastgeber der WM 2026 - obwohl er nicht gewonnen hat. Joker Cyle Larin sorgte gegen Bosnien-Herzegowina fr ein fr Kanada historisches Remis.[mehr]

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Palm Beach Cardinals fell to the Mets last night (2-0), but not without several highlights. Cooper Hjerpe made his rehab debut w... - FSL Palm Beach Cardinals

quelques jours du premier match de l'quipe de France la Coupe du monde 2026 face au Sngal, Didier Deschamps va devoir trancher entre Dsir Dou et Bradley Barcola, deux joueurs au profils diffrents.

TAP Air Portugal Cancellation Policy: A Complete Guide for Stress-Free Trip Changes Travel plans may not always happen the way you want. A sudden change in plans, a family problem, or a new place to go can slow you down. Knowing the TAP Air Portugal Cancellation Policy can help people skip extra worry and surprise fees. At flyairlinespolicy, we want to give clear and up-to-date airline policy...

Now we're really in it: The 2026 FIFA Mens World Cup holds its first full match day on Saturday. The opener of the four-game slate sees 2022 host Qatar face an ambitious Switzerland team in Northern California. The drama then shifts to New Jersey for what is arguably the best group stage game at this tournament when Brazil faces Morocco in a matchup between two top-10 teams in the FIFA World Rankings. Scotland then kicks off its campaign against Haiti before the action concludes in Vancouver, where Australia and Trkiye meet in what promises to be an intense and hard-fought game. Lets go into detail on these games. Qatar vs. Switzerland: How to Watch Switzerland arrives at this World Cup with the realistic goal of making a long run into the knockout stages. Switzerland performed brilliantly in World Cup qualifying, winning UEFAs Group B without losing a game. In a group that had Kosovo, Slovenia and Sweden, the Swiss scored 14 goals and conceded just twice while winning four games and drawing twice. That run has seen Switzerland climb to 19th in the FIFA World Rankings. Head coach Murat Yakin has been the architect of the teams success, and he has Switzerland playing consistently well in major tournaments. He took over in 2021 and led the team to qualification for the 2022 World Cup after finishing above Italy to win its group. At the World Cup, the Swiss advanced to the Round of 16 before losing to Portugal. At Euro 2024, Yakins team beat Italy in the Round of 16 before losing to England in a shootout in the quarterfinals. Unlike Switzerland, Qatar enters this tournament without much positivity. In 2022, Qatar had the worst campaign of any host nation in the history of the World Cup, having lost all three of its games and scoring just one goal. Qatar last won on October 14 in a 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates in its final World Cup qualifier. The team followed that with a terrible run at the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup, which it hosted and lost all three of its games to Palestine, Syria, and Tunisia. Qatar is coached by Julen Lopetegui, who was on Spains roster at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. The Spaniard was hired in May 2025 and helped the team seal qualification to the World Cup, but he has his work cut out for him this summer. Qatar vs. Switzerland: Player to Watch Xhaka is the captain and the emotional leader of Switzerland. With a run to the knockouts at this tournament, he will likely surpass 150 career caps with the national team. The 33-year-old has been a winner throughout his career. He won two Swiss Super League titles and a Swiss Cup with Basel. Then, after a stop in Germany with Borussia Mnchengladbach, he moved to Arsenal for seven seasons, during which he won two FA Cups and eventually became the teams captain. In 2023, Xhaka moved to Bayer Leverkusen and had a big role in snapping Bayern Munichs run of 11 seasons as Bundesliga champions. He now plays for Sunderland in the English Premier League. Xhaka is not the player he was in his prime, but he has been instrumental to the national teams rise this decade. He's now tasked with overseeing continued progress at the World Cup. Brazil vs. Morocco: How to Watch One of the concerns over the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams is that the group stage would become diluted and lack matchups between star teams. That proved not to be the case in Group C. Both Brazil and Morocco have the realistic goal of making a long run at this World Cup, and the FIFA World Rankings reflect that, with Brazil sitting sixth and Morocco at seventh. As a five-time World Cup champion, Brazil has not been as dominant in recent major tournaments. It exited the 2022 World Cup in the quarterfinals after a shootout loss to Croatia. Then, at the 2024 Copa Amrica, Brazil finished second in its group and lost its first knockout game to Uruguay. Brazil also finished fifth in World Cup qualifying in South America. Brazil attempted to reignite the team by hiring legendary Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has led many of the biggest clubs in the world, including Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Juventus, Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain. He has never coached a national team before, though. While Brazil might not be a top tournament favorite like France or Spain, the team has played well in the build-up to the tournament. In March, Brazil lost narrowly to France 2-1 before defeating Croatia 3-1. In the two tune-up friendlies, Brazil looked strong in wins over Panama and Egypt. Four years ago, Morocco sent shock waves at the World Cup where the "Atlas Lions" made a run to the quarterfinals that included wins over Belgium, Canada, Spain and Portugal. Since then, Morocco has not let up. The team qualified for the World Cup with a dominant run through qualifiers that saw it win all eight of its games while scoring 22 goals and conceding just two. Following qualifying, Morocco won the 2025 African Cup of Nations for the second time in its history. That tournament had a controversial ending where Morocco was awarded the title when it was ruled Senegal forfeited the final after initially walking off the field after a disputed VAR decision. Regardless, Morocco is a feared opponent. Much of the teams success has been due to the growth of recruiting players of Moroccan descent who were born and raised in Europe. Out of the 26 players in Morocco's World Cup squad, 19 players were born outside the country. Among those foreign-born players are top players are Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz and PSG defender Achraf Hakimi, both of whom were born in Spain. Lille's teenage midfield sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi was born in France. The winner of this game will immediately be considered the favorite to make at least the quarterfinals. Brazil vs. Morocco: Player to Watch Brazils left winger will earn his 50th national cap if he plays, as expected, against Morocco. Real Madrid's attack typically flows through him, as his pace and explosiveness opens space for others such as Kylian Mbapp. Vini Jr. has had some impressive games for Brazil, but at the World Cup he will be looking to produce outings that put him among the great Brazilians of the past. Haiti vs. Scotland: How to Watch Saturday, Scotland will play its first World Cup game since 1998 when it faces Haiti, which will be making its second overall appearance in the tournament and first since 1974. Scotland will be making its ninth appearance at the World Cup, and the team has never advanced out of the group stages before. Ranked 42 in the latest FIFA World Rankings, this game against Haiti is critical to the teams chances of advancement. With Brazil and Morocco as the other teams in Group C, Scotland will be a heavy underdog in the next two games. But a win on Saturday might be enough for Scotland to finally play its first ever World Cup knockout round as eight of the 12 third-place teams advance. Led by head coach Steve Clarke since 2019, Scotland was one of the European surprises in World Cup qualifying after winning UEFAs Group C over Denmark, Greece and Belarus. In the final game at Glasgows Hampden Park, Scotland needed a result over Denmark and came away with a 4-2 win to end its 28-year World Cup absence. Based on its two pre-World Cup friendlies, Scotland look prepared for the tournament having defeated Curaao, 4-1, on May 30, and Bolivia, 4-1, on June 6. Haiti enters the tournament as the second-lowest team in the FIFA World Rankings at 83, where it is ahead of only New Zealand at 85. Like Scotland, any realistic hope of advancing depends on winning this game on Saturday. Coached by Sbastien Mign of France, Haiti was able to qualify for this World Cup through a CONCACAF tournament that was missing its three strongest teams in Mexico, the United States and Canada, which qualified automatically as co-hosts. Haitis story was inspiring, as the team was forced to play all of its home games in Curaao due to unrest in the team's home country. Ultimately, the Haitians were able to secure qualification by winning Group C over traditional regional powers Costa Rica and Honduras. On the final matchday, Haiti defeated Nicaragua, 2-0, to finish atop the group. Haiti vs. Scotland: Player to Watch The Napoli midfielder is the key to Scotlands success at the World Cup. Andy Robertson is the captain, but McTominay driving the offense was instrumental towards the teams successful qualification. Needing a win over Denmark in the final qualifier at Hampden Park, McTominay scored the first goal of the game with a bicycle kick that set the tone for a 4-2 win. Against Haiti, Scotland will likely have most of the possession and most of the chances. The question will be whether the Scots can convert the chances into goals. McTominay will be important to that effort. Australia vs. Trkiye: How to Watch In 2002, Trkiye seemed as if it was a team on the rise after it finished third at the World Cup in Korea/Japan. Surprisingly, after its 3-2 win over South Korea in that third-place game, Trkiye would not return to the tournament for 24 years. On Saturday night in Vancouver, Trkiye finally returns to the tournament when it takes on Australia. Trkiye qualified for the 2026 World Cup after finishing second in UEFAs Group E behind Spain but ahead of Bulgaria and Georgia. This sent Trkiye to the playoffs, where it got past Romania in the semifinals and Kosovo in the final. Coached by Italian Vincenzo Montella since 2023, Trkiye enters this tournament ranked 22 in the FIFA World Rankings and playing terrific soccer, having seven wins and a draw in its last eight games, including the World Cup qualifying playoffs and its two recent friendly wins over North Macedonia and Venezuela. Australia enters this game ranked 27 in the FIFA World Rankings and will be playing in its sixth straight World Cup dating back to 2006. The 2022 tournament in Qatar was a positive experience for the team, as it lost to France but defeated Tunisia and Denmark to finish second in its group. In the round of 16, it put up a respectable effort in a 2-1 loss to eventual champions Argentina. The Socceroos did not have a smooth ride in qualification. A home loss to Bahrain and a draw with Indonesia, resulted in head coach Graham Arnold getting sacked. Tony Popovic was then hired, and the team responded very well with an unbeaten run the rest of the way. Highlights included a 1-0 win over Japan. Australia clinched its ticket in June with a 2-1 comeback away win over Saudi Arabia. Australia vs. Trkiye: Player to Watch Trkiyes new generation has many promising young players, but Gler is the best. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder is already a mainstay in Real Madrids lineup. He joined the Spanish giants in 2023 from Fenerbahe, and in his first season with Real Madrid, he won La Liga and the Champions League. With Trkiye, the offense runs through Gler, and he will be difficult for Australia to contain if he is on his game. If Gler struggles in this World Cup debut, Australia will have a shot. Either way, he is the most consequential player in this game.