The 2026 FIFA World Cup is now in the history books, and it was an excellent tournament for many reasons. But just as we saw a new generation of elite young players make big strides in the tournaments immense global spotlight, we also saw what is likely the curtain call for some of the greatest and most beloved players of all time. Nothing is ever known until a player formally retires, and even then we have seen some players come out of international retirement when asked. But with a very high degree of likelihood, this tournament will be the World Cup goodbye for four of the greatest players of all time and several others who were among the best of their generation. There were many "passing of the torch" moments. The final left us with Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal embracing after Spains win, leaving many fans hopeful that Yamal and teenage teammate (for both club and country) Pau Cubars can help fill the void of greatness left by the near-retirement of Messi and his generation. There was also Gilberto Mora and Guillermo Ochoa both playing for Mexico against Czechia at Mexico City Stadium. Both Messi and Yamal were pictured in a now-famous photo together when Yamal was a baby. Similarly, Mora was the youngest player at the 2026 World Cup, and during the tournament he shared a childhood picture of him with Ochoa, his idol growing up. Bosnia and Herzegovinas team was led by its legendary 40-year-old captain Edin Dzeko, who was born in Yugoslavia, grew up through the war, and survived the 1992-1995 Siege of Sarajevo. Many of the young Bosnian players on the team, including teenage star Karim Alajbegovi, were born abroad after being displaced by the war. Now they are returning to play for the national team. For them, Dzeko is an important figure and playing with him at this tournament was heavily symbolic of the countrys brutal past and hopeful future. "I am happy because I am the captain of this great generation," Dzeko said in the lead-up to the tournament. This tournament was a poignant transition between generations. Of course, all World Cups see many great players leave the international side of the game following the tournament, but never has a tournament marked the exit for such a class of legendary players. Goodbye To The GOATs There isnt anything more that can be said about Messis greatness. Eight-time Ballon dOr winner, a World Cup champion, two-time runner-up, two-time Copa Amrica champion, a four-time Champions League winner, 10-time LaLiga champion, two-time Ligue 1 champion, six Copa del Reys, and recently an MLS Cup. He wasnt just great; he was also popular and likable. He was a wonderful torchbearer for this sport. We wont likely see him again at such a stage as he was in Sundays World Cup final. Ronaldo never won the World Cup, but he has achieved so many historical accomplishments that make him easily among the greatest players of all time. He has a record 146 international goals for Portugal, where he has won a European Championship and two Nations Leagues. He has won the Ballon dOr five times and the Champions League five times, the Premier League three times, La Liga twice, Serie A twice, and the Saudi Pro League once. The 2026 World Cup was not a great tournament for Ronaldo, now age 41, but his two goals in a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan made him the first player to ever score in six World Cups. He finishes his World Cup career with 11 goals and two assists over 27 games, but his penalty conversion against Croatia in the round of 32 was his only knockout goal at the tournament. As one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Modric, 40, earned his 200th cap for Croatia during the 2026 FIFA Mens World Cup. During his decorated career, he helped Croatias national team become one of the best in the world with a second-place finish in 2018 and a third-place finish in 2022. In 2018, he was awarded the World Cup Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. In 2022, he won the Bronze Ball as the tournament's third-best player. His club career is remarkably decorated. In 2010, he helped Tottenham return to the Champions League for the first time in nearly 50 years. With Real Madrid, he won the tournament six times, a record he shares with four other players. Regarded by many as the greatest goalkeeper of all-time, Neuer came out of international retirement to play for Germany at the 2026 World Cup. Ultimately, it did not go well as Germany was eliminated by Paraguay in the round of 32. Neuer gave his team a chance to win it with a save in the fifth round of a shootout, but Germany would eventually fall. Neuer is a World Cup winner with Germany and a 13-time Bundesliga champion with Bayern Munich, including the recent 2025/26 season. He also won the Champions League twice. National Team Legends If reports are correct, the 35-year-old captain of Liverpool and the Netherlands appears set to retire from the international game following the Netherlands round of 32 loss to Morocco at the World Cup. As one of the greatest central defenders of his generation, he won the Premier League twice and the Champions League once with Liverpool. In 2018/19, he was named the Premier League Player of the Season and the UEFA Mens Player of the Year. The greatest Mexican goalkeeper in history hung up his gloves following the 2026 World Cup when he made just one appearance at the 2026 World Cup when he came on as a late substitute in a 3-0 win over Czechia at Mexico City Stadium to participate in his sixth World Cup, a record he shares with Ronaldo and Messi. It was an emotional moment for Ochoa, who was cheered and tossed into the air by his teammates for his legendary career to the team that ended with 153 caps. As one of the top center forwards of his generation, Deko is sure to bow out of the international team following the World Cup, where he made three starts and was held scoreless. But Deko was critically important over the past 18 months in ensuring Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified for the World Cup. He memorably scored a late equalizer against Wales in the playoff semi-final which Bosnia and Herzegovina would eventually win in a shootout. For Bosnia and Herzegovina, Deko has 73 goals in 151 caps. He has also won the Bundesliga once and the Premier League twice. He has also won the single-season scoring titles in both the Bundesliga and Serie A. The highly accomplished Croatian national team winger was still playing at a high level at this World Cup, and his goal against Portugal in the round of 32 seemed like it might have been enough to propel his team to victory. Unfortunately for Perii, Portugal found a late winner in one of the tournaments most debated moments. In Croatias opening game, Perii assisted in a loss to England but picked up an assist to become the second player (along with only Lionel Messi) to have an assist in four different World Cups. At 37, Perii might have some more left to give and has not announced his retirement from Croatia, but this is likely his last World Cup. Its been a great international career for Perii, who has 39 goals in 158 caps. He is still going strong at the club level, having won two straight Eredivisie titles with PSV Eindhoven. Prior to that, he won two Bundesliga titles, a Serie A title, and a Champions League trophy with Bayern Munich in 2019/20.

Expect big things from Morocco, the Netherlands and Norway the next time the tournament comes around, but for now, Spain and France are the teams to beat

Spain captain Rodri held the World Cup trophy aloft when he arrived in Madrid (Oscar DEL POZO)New World Cup champions Spain began their celebration parade on an open-top bus through the streets of Madrid on Monday early evening, with a jubilant crowd of over a million people out to celebrate, local authorities told AFP.The players, some shirtless, others holding drinks, set off on their procession under a blazing sun, along the main arteries in the city centre where a sea of fans in red and yellow were waiting, with the destination Cibeles square.After flying back from the United States to Madrid, the players were received by King Felipe VI and the royal family, and then Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, before kicking off the parade.Players passed around the gleaming World Cup trophy and waved to a sea of delighted Spain fans in red and yellow, the day after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra-time in New Jersey.Ferran Torres's strike in extra-time was enough to bring Spain their second World Cup, following a first victory in 2010."You have shown your grit, your resilience and your courage, always backed by your technical skill, your control and command of the game, combining head and heart," the king told La Roja's stars, who were dressed in suits but changed to more casual clothing for their parade on a hot summer's day."Kings of the world" ran the words on the front of their vehicle, with fans chanting "champions" to their heroes.Spain captain Rodri held the World Cup trophy aloft at the top of the stairs as he descended from the Iberia plane that flew the team home after clinching their second star.Later at Moncloa, Manchester City midfielder Rodri said this was the crowning achievement of his career."I've always said it, winning with your country is the most beautiful thing there is, above all a World Cup," said Rodri."This generation grew up watching (Iker) Casillas and (Andres) Iniesta lift the cup and that we can do it today is the biggest thing you can do in football."Many younger supporters were not yet born when Iniesta's extra-time goal against the Netherlands secured Spain's first World Cup in South Africa 16 years ago.Match-winner Torres joked he was "flying, literally" after the team returned from the United States after beating Argentina in New Jersey."I'm very happy to see how excited all of the children are... (and) to have the parade and celebrate with all of the Spaniards," he added.- Destination Cibeles -Spain's World Cup winners bus parade started at Moncloa before heading towards Cibeles square, where hordes of fans had reserved their spots hours in advance.A ceremony involving the players and a concert will then be held at the square, the traditional gathering point for celebrations by the Spanish national team and its supporters. Over 120,000 people were estimated to be waiting there.Spain's women's side won the World Cup in 2023, meaning for the first time a country has both trophies at the same time.In 2030, Spain will defend their crown on home soil, as one of the World Cup hosts along with Portugal and Morocco."It's two for two," said Prime Minister Sanchez, of Spain's record in World Cup finals. "Why not dream of a third in 2030, especially withSpain as hosts?"The Spanish press was running out of superlatives to describe its heroes after they overcame favourites France in the semi-finals before downing Argentina."The kings of all-time!" wrote Marca, celebrating a "second star that will now be stitched onto the Spanish jersey after yet another masterclass in collective play."Argentina, despite the presence of all-time great Lionel Messi, failed to create clear chances against Spain's well-organised and more positive side in the final.Messi had a sensational World Cup but drifted through the final like a ghost, shedding tears at the end."The pain is immense, and it's going to be hard for this wound to heal," wrote Messi on Instagram.In Madrid, tears also flowed on Monday night, but they were tears of joy.nip-jac-mig-rbs-ds/ea

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Pep Guardiola has reportedly been offered the chance to become Italy's next head coach after holding face-to-face talks with Paolo Maldini and Leonardo in Barcelona. However, the former Manchester City boss has repeatedly insisted he is enjoying his sabbatical and has no immediate plans to return to management. Italy Makes Guardiola Its Top Target Maldini and Leonardo have met Guardiola in Barcelona to discuss the vacant Italy head coach role. According to Sky Sports Italia, the talks extended beyond a brief meeting and may have continued throughout the weekend. The meeting emerged after photos of Maldini and Leonardo in Spain circulated on social media, prompting reports that the pair had traveled to present Guardiola with the opportunity to lead the Azzurri. Italy are understood to view Guardiola as their preferred candidate as they search for a new manager. Sabbatical Complicates FIGC Plans Despite the ambitious nature of the offer, the primary obstacle remains Guardiola's commitment to his time away from the dugout. The 55-year-old has been vocal about his need for a break, saying:"From a mental standpoint, I don't miss anything at all. I started managing at 37, and my entire life has been bound to football. Now, I want to try and discover life, to be happy doing other things that have nothing to do with football." He added: "I'm trying to figure out what my life will look like. I decided to stop because I want to take a bit more care of myself. I want to spend more time with my children and with my father, who is 95 and still with us. I've reached the age of 56, I'm no longer young, and the way you see things changes as well. I'm still adjusting to this new phase, but it's going pretty well." Italy Keep Alternatives In Mind While Guardiola remains Italy's dream appointment, the federation has actively explored other avenues. Former Azzurri boss Roberto Mancini and Juventus legend Andrea Pirlo have both been linked with the vacancy, but recent reports suggest Antonio Conte has already agreed a deal to become the new head coach. The interest in Guardiola is not limited to Italy, as other major nations continue to keep a watchful eye on his situation. Following Englands recent World Cup failure, pundits and former players have suggested Guardiola to replace Thomas Tuchel as the Three Lions manager. Azzurri Await Guardiola's Decision Italy are searching for a manager to revive the national team following Gennaro Gattuso's exit, sparked by their failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. Whether Guardiola is willing to end his sabbatical remains uncertain, leaving the federation to assess alternative candidates while they await clarity.

The Lakers' roster now stands at 16 players, and they'll have to trim it before the beginning of the season

New Zealand fast bowler Nathan Smith and England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge have been named the ICC Men's and Women's Players of the Month for June 2026 following their outstanding performances in international cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the monthly awards on Monday, recognising the duo for their match-winning displays in Test and T20I cricket respectively.Smith beat India captain Shubman Gill and Bangladesh all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain to claim the men's honour, while Wyatt-Hodge finished ahead of India's N Sree Charani and Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce to secure the women's award.Nathan Smith shines in historic Test series winSmith played a pivotal role in New Zealand's remarkable 2-1 Test series triumph over England away from home. Leading an inexperienced bowling attack, the right-arm pacer finished as the series' highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets at an average of 23.00. His defining performance came at Lord's, where he produced a sensational match haul of 9/132, including 6/70 in the second innings, helping New Zealand register a memorable victory and lay the foundation for their series comeback.Reacting to the award, Smith said the recognition was special but insisted the team's success remained his biggest achievement."This is really special. It was a great tour of England for the boys, and this is pretty cool. I don't usually play for individual awards, but it's nice to receive this recognition and, more importantly, to have contributed to a series win," Smith said.Wyatt-Hodge rewarded after record-breaking World Cup campaignEngland opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge claimed her second ICC Player of the Month award after starring in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup on home soil. The experienced batter finished the tournament's league stage as the highest run-scorer, accumulating 302 runs. Wyatt-Hodge produced a brilliant 105 off 62 balls against Sri Lanka*, followed by an unbeaten 89 off 53 deliveries against defending champions New Zealand. She was named Player of the Match in both encounters, underlining her consistency throughout the tournament. Reflecting on the honour, Wyatt-Hodge said the recognition made an unforgettable World Cup campaign even more memorable."I'm delighted to win the ICC Player of the Month award, especially since it came for performances at a World Cup on home soil. The ICC Women's T20 World Cup was a fantastic occasion for the game, and having the opportunity to play in the final at Lord's is a memory that my teammates and I will cherish forever," she said.

An updated college football TV schedule for the 2026 season, including weekly results and links to live scores.

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The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has confirmed that head coach Rudi Garcia's contract will not be extended beyond the 2026 World Cup. Despite leading the Red Devils to the quarterfinals in North America, both parties have agreed to part ways. End Of An 18-Month Era Garcia and the RBFA will not extend the contract that runs until July 31. Garcia took up his role on February 1, 2025 as the successor to Domenico Tedesco. Under his technical leadership, the Red Devils secured their place in League A of the UEFA Nations League and qualified for the 2026 World Cup, where they embarked on a run to the quarterfinals. The decision marks the conclusion of a tenure that lasted exactly 18 months, during which Garcia was tasked with stabilizing a squad in transition. While the team showed flashes of brilliance during the tournament in North America, the federation has decided to move in a different direction as they look toward the next qualification cycle. Reflecting On A World Cup Journey The Frenchman's final game was a dramatic affair where he felt lady luck wasn't on his team's side following key injuries and controversial officiating calls. In their 2-1 quarterfinal loss to eventual tournament winners Spain, the Red Devils were forced to cope without captain Youri Tielemans through injury, while talisman Kevin De Bruyne was also forced off late in the game. Reflecting on his departure, Garcia expressed gratitude for the opportunity and the relationships he built with the players and staff. "After discussions with the RBFA, we have decided not to extend the excellent journey we have shared over the past 18 months. I leave Belgium in League A of the UEFA Nations League and among the top eight teams in the world," Garcia said. "I would like to thank my outstanding group of players, Sports Director Vincent Mannaert, and the fans who supported us throughout this World Cup. I wish Belgium every success as they continue the generational transition that I was proud to help initiate." Mannaert Praises Garcia's Impact Vincent Mannaert, the sports director for the RBFA, was vocal about the positive influence the French tactician had during his short stint with the national team. Mannaert highlighted that Garcia was brought in at a time when the team needed experienced leadership to navigate a challenging landscape. "Rudi Garcia has unquestionably played a key role in restoring the Belgian Red Devils. He was appointed national coach in a challenging sporting and financial context. Thanks in particular to his commitment and experience, team cohesion was restored and a strong result was achieved at the most recent FIFA World Cup," Mannaert noted. Looking Toward The Future The departure comes at a symbolic time for Belgian football, as several members of the famed 'Golden Generation' likely played their final minutes in a major tournament. The immediate future for Belgium involves home matches against heavyweights France and Italy later this year, as they continue their journey in the Nations League. Meanwhile, Mannaert confirmed that the search for Garcia's successor is already underway. "Together with my team, I am currently preparing for a new cycle, including the appointment of a new national coach," Mannaert added.