Egypt earned a place in the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup. The team advanced past the group stage to compete in the elimination rounds of the tournament. During the group stage, they defeated New Zealand and drew against Belgium and Iran. Mohamed Salah contributed an assist in the opening match against Belgium and recorded both a goal and an assist against New Zealand to help secure Egypt's progression. Following the group stage, Egypt went the distance and got past Australia in penalties in the Round of 32. Ultimately, Argentina scored three unanswered goals to defeat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16. Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko scored the goals for Egypt before the team was eliminated thanks to Enzo Fernndez' stoppage-time winner. So what's next for the players who led Egypt to its first-ever knockout stage appearance? Salah captained Egypt during the tournament, recording one goal and two assists. The Egyptian King is currently a free agent after officially concluding his tenure with English Premier League club Liverpool, as both he and the club reached an agreement to end his nine-year tenure at Anfield, announced in March, culminating in an emotional farewell to supporters. Marmoush started in the attack for Egypt in three out of five matches during its 2026 World Cup campaign but was unable to get on the scoresheet. The 27-year-old striker plays club football in the English Premier League for Manchester City, one of the biggest teams in Europe. Ibrahim started all five matches for Egypt and scored the opening goal in the first half against Argentina in the round of 16. He plays club football in Egypt for Al Ahly. Ziko scored Egypt's second goal against Argentina to briefly extend Egypt's lead in the second half before Argentina scored three unanswered. He also scored and assisted during Egpyt's group stage win over New Zealand. Ziko started all five matches at the World Cup and plays club football in Egypt for Pyramids.

Colombia earned a place in the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup. The team advanced past the group stage to compete in the elimination rounds of the tournament. During the group stage, they competed in matches against Uzbekistan, DR Congo, and Portugal. Colombia secured advancement to the knockout stage, where they defeated Ghana in the Round of 32 to progress further in the tournament. Ultimately, Switzerland eliminated Colombia in the Round of 16. The match remained tied 0-0 after 120 minutes of play, and Switzerland won the penalty shootout 4-3 to advance. So what's next for the players who led Colombia to its knockout stage appearance? Rodriguez captained Colombia during the tournament and started in the Round of 16 match against Switzerland. He is a free agent after leaving Major League Soccer club Minnesota United in June 2026 prior to the start of the tournament. Diaz played as a forward for Colombia during the tournament and scored his penalty during the shootout against Switzerland. He plays club football in Germany for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. Sanchez anchored the defense for Colombia during the World Cup campaign, appearing in the Round of 16 match against Switzerland. He plays club football in Turkey for Galatasaray. Hernandez appeared as a substitute for Colombia during the tournament, recording an assist against Uzbekistan. He plays club football in Spain for La Liga side Real Betis. Surez provided the assist for Jhon Arias' winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Ghana in the round of 32. He plays club football for Sporting CP in Portugal.

Portugal had an up and down showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, delivering clutch victories, but ultimately falling well short of its goal. Portugal sputtered in the round of 16, losing 1-0 to Spain as it lacked attacking prowess. Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo competed valiantly in his final World Cup appearance, which he confirmed earlier in the tournament. At age 41, he started each Portugal match and became the oldest European soccer player to score at a Men's World Cup. Ronaldo will continue to compete at the club level, while his Portuguese teammates carry on the country's quest for its first World Cup title. So what's next for Portugal's players after the 2026 World Cup? Ronaldo started all five of Portugal's fixtures at the 2026 World Cup. He scored twice during the group stage against Uzbekistan, and converted a penalty kick in Portugal's 2-1 victory against Croatia in the round of 32, his first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout round match. Ultimately, though, he left his potentially final World Cup appearance empty-handed. Ronaldo will return to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr for his fifth season with the club. Many regard Fernandes as Portugal's most talented player, currently. He did not live up to that regard at the 2026 World Cup, recording one assist in five matches. The lack of inventiveness in a talented midfield on-paper was crucial to Portugal's undoing. Fernandes will return for his seventh season at Manchester United, where he's the club captain. Vitinha was similarly disappointing at the 2026 World Cup. He failed to record a single involvement throughout the group stage before a heel injury kept him out of both of Portugal's knockout games. Vitinha is a decorated player with Paris Saint-Germain, where he's won four consecutive French League titles, and two straight Champions League titles, including in 2026. He'll return for a fifth season with the star-studded PSG team, and try to continue that run of success. Like Vitinha, Nuno Mendes also plays for Paris Saint-Germain, and will return to help continue that run of success. However, he may have picked up an injury in Portugal's final game as he exited the defeat to Spain in the 56th minute because of a hamstring injury. Mendes scored once against Uzbekistan, and before getting hurt, put forth a respectable effort, defending Spain's Lamine Yamal. Neves is the third of four Portugal players the fourth being Gonalo Ramos who plays for PSG. This past season was his second with the French side, so he has a ways to go to catch his Portuguese teammates in terms of hardware. But at 21 years old, he has the time to do so. Dias played all five matches for Portugal, helping it to two clean sheets and conceding just three goals. He'll return to Premier League giants Manchester City for a seventh season. After finishing second in the Premier League in 2025-26 and third the year prior, Man City is seeking to return to its form of winning four straight league titles, which came in Dias' first four seasons in Manchester. Silva is entering his first season at Spanish side Real Madrid after nine seasons with Manchester City, where he won six Premier League titles.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 16: Edgerrin Cooper #56 of the Green Bay Packers lines up before a play during an NFL football game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 16, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesA week ago, ESPN dropped an article ranking every team in the NFL based only on their players under the age of 25.I thought this was an interesting premise. What is the future, after all, if not your young players? These are the developmental core of the team, the guys you hope will go from good to great or great to legendary. And if you happen to have a young star, so much the better! Chances are hell be a big part of your team for years and years to come.The Packers didnt fare particularly well in ESPNs estimation; the Worldwide Leader thinks they have too many unproven names among their youngest players. I think thats fair, but I think we should also take a deeper look at the under-25 cohort on the Packers and see what were really dealing with. Whos good, who has work to do, and who actually needs to be good for the Packers to succeed this year?Fringe players and practice squad hopefuls (unranked)Brenden RiceWill SheppardRJ MarylandMarlon JonesJaden NixonKyle McCordKyron DronesDrake DabneyAnalysis: This group of guys represents the very bottom of the Packers roster. Its certainly possible that some of them will stick around on the practice squad (Kyron Drones is all but a sure bet on that front) and a few may make appearances on the active roster, but I dont think theres anyone that looks like a sure bet to make the roster at this point. Lets check back in a year from now and see if anybodys jumped out of this tier.25-19: Second year guys and quasi-vets that Im not sure what to do with25 John Williams24 Nazir Stackhouse23 Johnathan Baldwin22 Damien Martinez21 Savion Williams20 Collin Oliver19 Warren BrinsonAnalysis: You could call this group of players the question marks because I dont know if anybody knows what they are now. Some missed time due to injury (John Williams and Collin Oliver, namely), but most are just mysterious.A few of these players got significant burn last year. Nazir Stackhouse was probably overexposed, while Savion Williams, Jonathan Baldwin, and Warren Brinson got smaller looks, either due to injury or depth chart realities. But I dont think any of those players showed us enough to really justify ranking higher than they do now. Brinson easily has the most potential of this group as of right now.Id also keep an eye on Damien Martinez. Running back is, to say the least, kind of in flux right now, and there are opportunities for rapid risers if they get a couple of breaks. Given his testing background, maybe Martinez could be the one.18-14: Promising UDFAs18 Dylan Barrett16/17 Dillon Wade, Josh Gesky15 Nyjalik Kelly14 J. Michael SturdivantAnalysis: Im intrigued by these five UDFA signings, and I think based on potential Id put them ahead of the second year guys for the simple fact that we dont know their downsides yet. Thats the enjoyable mirage of potential!In all serious, Sturdivant and Kelly should have a chance to make some noise early. Wide receivers always look good in shorts and helmets, and the depth chart is favorable to Kelly making a jump on the edge right now. Plus, Wade and Gesky are about as interesting as it gets from an interior offensive line perspective right now.13: The kicker13 Trey SmackAnalysis: I cant put Smack higher than this, but I cant put him behind the undrafted free agents, second year mysteries, or the fringe players. So he gets his own tier. Theres not much to say other than that.12-9: All of the other 2026 draft picks but one12 Domani Jackson11 Jager Burton10 Chris McClellan9 Dani Dennis-SuttonAnalysis: I find all the Packers non-kicker draft picks exciting or interesting in their own way, so lets just go bottom to top here.Domani Jackson was intriguing in small doses at Alabama, but never seemed to shake the injury bug. If he can get healthy in Green Bay (no small thing, to be sure), this could be late-round value on the order of Carrington Valentine.Jager Burton already looks to be seeing some first team reps, and theres always a need for offensive line depth. If the Packers nab another high-value lineman on the third day of the draft, the rest of the league will be punching air again.Chris McClellan is a bit of a mystery prospect. He clearly has physical tools and hell get early chances at playing time. But what will his role be? He seems to have the versatility to do just about anything an interior defensive lineman would need to do, but defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has to put him somewhere. Where will it be?Dani Dennis-Sutton is just the second-most intriguing draft pick only because he probably wont get the early chances Brandon Cisse does. Cisse has a clear path to a starting role, but DDS should top out as a rotational rusher, even with Micah Parsons out for the early portions of 2026.8-7: Better than most of the rookies, but not top tier guys8 Carrington Valentine7 Barryn SorrellAnalysis: This tier is exactly what the descriptor says. Valentin and Sorrell are both better than pretty much every other rookie or young player, but theyre just not in the top tier. And interestingly, they seem to be headed in different directions.Valentine was once a great story as a rookie starter and has had his moments, but his star is fading. His limits (or unwillingness) as a tackler make him a liability in the run game and against shorter passes, and the Packers have made it clear they want more competition across from Keisean Nixon this year.Sorrel, meanwhile, looks like hell be a solid rotational player. Its just that even as he ascends, it doesnt look like hell be someone the Packers are counting on to succeed this year.6-1: Guys who really have to be good6 Brandon Cisse5 Jordan Morgan4 Javon Bullard3 Matthew Golden2 Evan Williams1 Edgerrin CooperAnalysis: Outside of Brandon Cisse, there shouldnt be any major quibbles here, in my opinion. These are clearly the best of the under-25 crew, and every one of them needs to be good in his own way or the Packers are going to be hurting.Cisse needs to contribute at corner pretty much immediately. Morgan needs to hold down the left tackle spot. Bullard needs to build on last years slot success. Golden needs to take a big step forward. Evan Williams needs to be at least as good as he was last year.And then theres Edgerrin Cooper, the closest thing the Packers have to a bona fide star under the age of 25 right now. With Micah Parsons sidelined for the first quarter to third of the season, Cooper is going to be counted upon to carry a lot of the playmaking load in Green Bay. Is he up to it? Were about t find out.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) The Kansas City Chiefs held their first full-squad workout of training camp Wednesday without offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who remained with his family following the shooting of his wife allegedly by their son at their Virginia home last weekend.Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after the workout that Mia Bieniemy had been released from the intensive care unit, where she was being treated for multiple gunshot wounds. But there was no timetable for when Eric Bieniemy would be back with the team.She's making progress, Reid said, so we're happy about that.Elijah Zion Bieniemy, the 27-year-old son of the couple, was arrested in connection with the late-Sunday shooting. He was charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling, and was being held without bond Wednesday at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.Elijah Bieniemy has a court date to hear motions scheduled for Thursday. His preliminary hearing date is Aug. 31.Eric Bieniemy returned earlier this year to the Chiefs, where he experienced his greatest success as an assistant. He was instrumental in Kansas City reaching three Super Bowls and winning two of them before departing for the Washington Commanders in 2023, where he had wanted to build upon his resume in the hopes of landing a head coaching job.Bieniemy was part of Ron Rivera's staff that was let go following that season, though. He spent one season as offensive coordinator at UCLA before spending last season coaching the running backs with the Chicago Bears.However long he misses training camp is noteworthy, given Bieniemy is trying to get up to speed with any changes to Reid's playbook over the past few years. But the Chiefs are uniquely suited to press on without him during an important part of training camp.Not only do they have continuity on their coaching staff but have veteran leaders on the offensive side of the ball.Pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier, who has been with the Chiefs for the past decade and is widely considered a rising star in the profession, has assumed many of Bieniemy's responsibilities. Others have fallen upon veteran offensive line coach Andy Heck, who has held that job ever since Reid's initial Kansas City coaching staff was put together following the 2012 season.There's also the fact that Reid has a heavy hand in running the Chiefs offense. He receives plenty of input from his coordinators, but it is ultimately Reid who calls the plays on gameday, and who has the ear of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.As for the two-time MVP, who is coming off reconstructive surgery on his left knee, Mahomes knows the Kansas City offense as well as anybody besides his head coach. And when you add in veterans such as tight end Travis Kelce, offensive linemen Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith, and wide receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, there is plenty of experience out on the field.Well be able to keep it moving here, Reid said.Meanwhile, Mahomes looked sharp in his first 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work of camp Wednesday, even though the Chiefs won't have pads on for several more days. At one point, he zipped a pass between two defenders to Kelce for a nice gain in the red zone.I feel stronger than I've ever felt as far as strength and lifting and stuff like that, Mahomes said, "so now it's just about getting that quarterback stuff down, the stuff moving in the pocket quick making those quick movements reacting and doing stuff like that.I feel like I wasn't playing my best football at the end of last year before I got hurt, he added. I've got to find ways to get better, kind of navigating the pocket, run the offense better, getting the ball out of my hands and letting guys make plays. So I think this injury has kind of helped me focus on those little things as I kind of get back to who I am.Notes: DE Ethan Downs had surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee and was placed on injured reserve. ... Rice (knee) and CB L'Jarius Snead (knee) participated in about half the practice before spending the rest of the time with the training staff. That was the plan, Reid said. ... First-round CB Mansoor Delane (shoulder) participated in most of practice in a yellow no-contact jersey.___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Denver Broncosveteransreported for training camp on Tuesday, and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper was among them. The team kicked off camp with a light acclimation practice on Wednesday, with Cooper participating. Cooper, 28, is facing five charges related to afelony assault case, and he was excused from minicamp last month. Cooper has since completed a therapy, mental health and overall wellness program, and coach Sean Payton said that the pass rusher will participate in training camp. "We're staying the course with league protocol, club protocol, relative to what we're advised to do," Payton said after Wednesday's acclimation practice. "He's been fantastic working away from the building, and we'll continue to [stay the course] and monitor it. We're supportive, and yet, very much aware of the seriousness of these type of things. ... There's a schedule and a course to this, and that's what we have to follow." #Broncos coach Sean Payton on why Jonathon Cooper is practicing. Essentially said team is following league protocol. pic.twitter.com/kw9QJ791Cb Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 29, 2026Payton later indicated that the situation could be resolved "sooner than later." That was an interesting comment because Cooper hasan arraignment dateset for Aug. 31, which is after camp and all of preseason. If the case eventually goes to trial, it could be months away from a resolution. Here's everything Sean Payton said today on Jonathon Cooper. Clear the #Broncos are taking a very "we'll let the league decide this" approach. Payton said the organization is "fully supportive" of Cooper and they are "proud of the work he did" this past month. pic.twitter.com/P085WMkgJx Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) July 29, 2026Cooper could face asuspension from the NFL, but the league likely won't make a decision until after the legal process has completed. The Broncos will allow Cooper to practice while the legal process plays out.Social: FollowBroncos WireonFacebookandTwitter/X!Did you know:These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Sean Payton comments on Jonathon Cooper's status at Broncos camp

Wu Yize became the second-youngest player to be crowned world champion when he won the title earlier this year [Getty Images]World champion Wu Yize struck three centuries as he beat Si Jiahui 6-2 in the second round of the Shanghai Masters.In his first match of the season, Yize went 3-0 up before his Chinese compatriot pulled two frames back.Yize responded by knocking in breaks of 108 and two 140s as he took three frames in a row for a victory which sets up a quarter-final against Shaun Murphy in a repeat of their thrilling 2026 World Championship final.Murphy came through a tough battle with Zhou Yuelong before winning 6-5 as he struck a 65 to win the deciding frame."It was great to feel the enthusiasm from the crowd. It's been quite a while since I last played in front of fans like this," said Yize, 22."I also haven't really had the chance to practise properly recently, so when I got back out there I felt a little rusty at first. "Fortunately, I managed to find my own rhythm and I think that was the key to winning today's match."O'Sullivan knocked out of Shanghai Masters by WilsonZhao Xintong, the 2025 world champion, also hit three tons (112, 100 and 101) in his 6-2 win against fellow Chinese player Ding Junhui and will next play Neil Robertson.Four-time world champion John Higgins edged past Jack Lisowski 6-5 to set up a last-eight tie against Judd Trump. Lisowski knocked in a 123 and 109 to level the match at 5-5 before Higgins took the final frame on the black.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) There was business to discuss as the Philadelphia Eagles opened their sixth training camp under coach Nick Sirianni. They have a new offensive coordinator yes, another one and players in new roles and ones playing on hefty new contracts.So Jordan Davis, one of the biggest offseason beneficiaries of a contract extension, cut to the chase Wednesday and got straight to the topic of the day.I will be asking the questions, Davis said with laugh as he took his seat for a news conference.How we feeling about LeBron being in town?Yes, in a sports city that each time this summer turns as green in team colors as the cash spent on Davis and fellow defensive tackle Jalen Carter, the Eagles have been overshadowed by the arrival of the most famous active American athlete in LeBron James.An image of the NBAs career leading scorer could be seen on the video board outside the Philadelphia 76ers' arena across the street from the Eagles practice facility. The newest Sixers superstar had no immediate plans to travel to Philadelphia, but if he does, the Eagles will roll out the red carpet on the green grass for James.He can come out to practice any time he wants, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said.The Eagles welcomed him to Philly with arms as wide open as they are for James' pregame chalk toss.Super Bowl MVP-winning quarterback Jalen Hurts and 2,000-yard rusher Saquon Barkley both rank somewhere on the short list of most accomplished and most famous Philadelphia athletes. Even they turned into wide-eyed fans much like the rest of Philadelphia when they found out the 41-year-old James had indeed signed a two-year contract with the Sixers.I think for what he represents in sports and sports culture, Hurts said, its huge. And I think its huge for the city of Philadelphia. Itll be exciting to have a figure like that in the city. Whats he done. One of the greatest to ever do it. Im excited to be a part of that.James could do worse than duplicate Barkley's free-agent results when he left the New York Giants after six seasons and signed with the Eagles ahead of the 2024 season. He rushed for a franchise-record 2,005 yards and won a Super Bowl in his first try with the Eagles.Barkley pitched James at his youth football camp earlier this month on the appeal of playing in Philadelphia.If you want to go out with a bang, Barkley said, "I feel like a great spot would be in Philly, and bringing a championship to Philadelphia, youd be remembered forever.James already had the remembered forever stamp in sports thank to his peerless resume in the NBA.Barkley who played golf with former President Barack Obama and also invited James on social media to tee it up demurred when pressed on his influence in James signing with the Sixers.Playing with All-Stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown surely swayed James more than Barkley. The running back didn't care much how exactly James made his Philly decision, or if James was even aware of his endorsement. He's just thrilled James has joined Philly's star-studded athlete roster.I think the city of Philadelphia is a super cool place to be for sports, with how involved the fans are, Barkley said at training camp. Having LeBron here is just great for the culture.Barkley, Hurts and other Eagles players still on the roster from two seasons ago are among the relatively few in Philadelphia sports history with championship rings. The Eagles won their only two Super Bowls in the last 10 years. The Flyers haven't won the Stanley Cup since 1975 and the Phillies since 2008.James joins a 76ers franchise that has not won an NBA title since 1983.He's not here for second place.The Eagles say, go get 'em.Looks like the Sixers are trying to go win one, said Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith, a Boston Celtics fan. Can't be mad at that.Injury update for linebacker Jonathan GreenardThe Eagles placed linebacker Jonathan Greenard on the physically unable to perform list with a pectoral strain. The Eagles acquired the Pro Bowl edge rusher in an April trade with Minnesota. He subsequently agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract extension including $50 million in fully guaranteed money.Roseman said Greenard should be ready for the Sept. 13 opener against Washington.This is not a long-term injury, Roseman said. This is nothing we are concerned about."___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl