Tuesday, 30 June 2026
YAMAHA CONFIRMS FABIO QUARTERARO EXIT FOR 2027 MOTOGP
Yamaha has confirmed that both Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins will move on from the factory team at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season.
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| Fabio Quartararo at the Dutch MotoGP. Credit: Gold and Goose. |
Yamaha has taken a major step towards revealing its 2027 MotoGP line-up, after confirming the exits of Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins.
The decision not to re-sign Rins comes as no surprise, as the former Suzuki and Honda rider has often struggled with the M1 since joining the factory team in 2024, albeit aboard machinery that at times was the least competitive on the grid.
However, Quartararo managed to outperform the capabilities of the M1 on several occasions, although he too, struggled to be competitive on a consistent basis.
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| Fabio Quartararo riding the Yamaha M1. Credit: Gold and Goose. |
But with Quartararo being Yamaha’s most recent world champion, keeping the Frenchman has often been a major target for the Japanese manufacturer. That said, it became very clear at the start of this season that a new contract agreement between both sides was unlikely.
Quartararo has been heavily linked with a switch to Honda, which is expected to be confirmed soon, while Aprilia’s Jorge Martin will replace the 2021 MotoGP champion at the factory Yamaha squad.
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| Fabio Quartararo in Assen. Credit: Gold and Goose. |
Paolo Pavesio, Managing Director at Yamaha Motor Racing, said this about losing both riders in 2027:
"Fabio [Quartararo] and Alex [Rins have both played an important role in Yamaha's MotoGP project, and we are very grateful for their efforts, dedication, and collaboration over the years.
"Fabio's journey with Yamaha spans eight years, during which we have shared both great successes and difficult moments. Together, we have grown, celebrated achievements that have shaped our story, and faced challenges that have strengthened us. Beyond the results, it is this journey that defines our relationship, and in the end, Fabio will always remain one of the true legends of Yamaha MotoGP.
"Since joining Yamaha in 2024, Alex has brought valuable experience, meaningful insight, and unwavering commitment, playing an important role in the YZR-M1 project's development. While saying goodbye is never easy after years together, we remain fully focused on working as a team to achieve the best possible results until the end of the season."
Yamaha could be one of three manufacturers that has an all-new factory team line-up next season, with Honda and KTM expected to bring in two new riders each.
- Robert Jones
PARAGUAY STUNS GERMANY IN THE PENALTY SHOOTOUT FOR THE BIGGEST UPSET OF THE 2026 WORLD CUP
José Canale scored on the first sudden-death penalty kick, Orlando Gill made two key saves in the shootout, and Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties to earn the biggest upset of the 2026 World Cup
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- José Canale wasn’t in the starting lineup in either of his previous two appearances for Paraguay in this World Cup.
He made his first start a memorable one.
Canale scored on the first sudden-death penalty kick, Orlando Gill made two key saves in the shootout, and Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties Monday to earn the biggest upset of the 2026 World Cup.
It was a major triumph for the landlocked South American country of 7 million people that's surrounded by soccer giants like Argentina and Brazil. And it was the latest surprising exit by Germany, a four-time champion that has struggled at the World Cup since it last lifted the trophy in 2014.
“I think we deserved one more game and to be honest, considering everything that was said, everything we went through,” Canale said. “What I want to highlight from our team is how united we are. ... Today was a game we really needed to show our true colors.”
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| Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gill celebrates after winning the penalty shootout of the 2026 World Cup round-of-32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026 [AFP] |
Paraguayans celebrated in the streets of the capital, Asunción, screaming, jumping and hugging when the match ended. Some cried and dropped to their knees in disbelief, with the familiar beat of the team’s song “Soy Albirrojo” reverberating through the crowd.
Paraguay became the first team to defeat Germany in a penalty shootout at the World Cup. The Germans missed three of six penalty tries, the last by Jonathan Tah, who blasted his attempt high over the crossbar in the first sudden-death round, setting up Canale for the winner. Tah's miss followed a save by German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of Fabian Balbuena's attempt that would have won it for Paraguay.
Tah also thought he had the go-ahead goal in extra time. He headed in a corner kick by Nathaniel Brown in the 102nd minute, but officials concluded after a video review that Waldemar Anton has pushed Gill to the ground before the shot and the goal was disallowed.
The Round of 32 match ended 1-1 after extra time. Paraguay took the lead when Julio Enciso scored on a header late in the first half, but Kai Havertz equalized in the 52nd minute for Germany.
“We had to analyze every player, every detail. Thanks to that I was able to only miss two penalties,” Gill said. “This is for all the people of Paraguay.”
Paraguay, which entered the match ranked 41st by FIFA, became the deepest betting long shot to win a match in this World Cup. Germany came in as the 10th-ranked team in the world.
The Paraguayans will face the winner of Tuesday’s match between France and Sweden in the Round of 16 on Saturday in Philadelphia. A win on the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding would send Paraguay back to Foxborough for the quarterfinals on July 9.
Germany had won six of seven penalty shootouts in major tournaments, including six straight since losing to Czechoslovakia in the 1976 European Championship final.
“It’s not enough for German football,” coach Julian Nagelsmann said.
In the only previous World Cup match between the teams, Germany beat Paraguay 1-0 in the round of 16 at the 2002 tournament. Nearly a quarter-century later, Paraguay got its revenge.
Paraguay had appeared in five previous knockout games but failed to score in each. It had advanced only once, winning on penalty kicks against Japan in the round of 16 at the 2010 tournament in South Africa. It fell that year to eventual champion Spain in the quarterfinals.
Monday was Germany’s first knockout game since the 2014 final in Brazil, when the Germans beat Argentina 1-0. The Germans were eliminated in the group stage at the last two tournaments.
“We had very big plans for this World Cup. It’s very difficult to disappoint again,” Havertz said. “It was difficult to create chances and keep the pace.”
Paraguay broke the early stalemate in the 42nd minute Monday with some perfect ball movement to set up Enciso.
Miguel Almiron split Germany’s Aleksandar Pavlovic and Nathaniel Brown with a left-footed pass to Matias Galarza. Galarza sent a cross to Enciso, who was unmarked by Germany’s defenders and easily headed it past Neuer.
In the second half, Havertz took a cross from Florian Wirtz, which he got just enough head on to redirect it past Gill.
Germany, whose 10 goals in the group stage was tied for the most of any team, struggled to find a way through Paraguay’s 4-5-1 setup. The Germans had 78% of the possession in the first half.
Paraguay was without defender Omar Alderete, who left with an injury in the second half of its 0-0 draw against Australia. Canale started in his place.
Paraguay opened the World Cup with a 4-1 loss to the United States, then beat Turkey 1-0 while playing the entire second half with 10 men. A scoreless draw against Australia was good enough for Paraguay to reach the knockout stage as the third-place finisher from Group D.
- KYLE HIGHTOWER AP sports writer
MOROCCO SNATCH SHOOT-OUT VICTORY FROM JAWS OF DEFEAT TO KNOCK NETHERLANDS OUT OF WORLD CUP
Netherlands 1-1 Morocco, Morocco win 3-2 on pens: The Dutch were five minutes from victory in normal time before Issa Diop’s stoppage-time equaliser set up a dramatic penalty shoot-out
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| Morocco knocked out the Netherlands after a night of high drama in Monterrey (Reuters) |
Morocco beat the Netherlands 3-2 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to reach the World Cup last 16 after their knockout tie ended 1-1 following extra time.
Ismael Saibari converted the winning spot kick after Yassine Bounou saved Crysencio Summerville's penalty, sending Morocco through after a dramatic contest in which they had forced extra time with a stoppage-time equaliser.
Morocco's Neil El Aynaoui and Dutch substitute Justin Kluivert missed their attempts before Bart Verbruggen appeared to save Soufiane Rahimi's effort, only for the ball to squirm underneath him and trickle over the line.
Quinten Timber then put the ball wide with the Dutch side's fourth kick, Achraf Hakimi struck the post with the chance to seal victory before Saibari kept his nerve to send Morocco through.
The shootout capped a gripping encounter in Monterrey that swung repeatedly in both teams' favour, with Cody Gakpo's emotional second-half opener cancelled out by Issa Diop's stoppage-time header before neither team could find a winner in extra time.
Thousands of Morocco supporters erupted at the final whistle in the last World Cup match to be played in Monterrey, while many local fans celebrated with them after backing the African side throughout the evening.
"We know this type of game, we know against who we play," Hakimi said. "We have to be focused and be strong physically but also mentally.
"I want to say thank you for Mexico for the support, all the Moroccans that came to support us."
Morocco fashioned the better chances before the break, with goalkeeper Verbruggen producing a series of outstanding saves to deny Ayoub Bouaddi's close-range header and Neil El Aynaoui's powerful effort.
At the other end, Bounou was finally called into action to parry Micky van de Ven's long-range strike.
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| Cody Gakpo netted an emotional opener for the Netherlands (Reuters) |
Hakimi rattled the crossbar and forced another save from Verbruggen as the Dutch struggled to contain the full back's runs from deep before Ronald Koeman's introduction of Wout Weghorst gave his side a much-needed focal point in attack.
The Atlas Lions enjoyed vocal backing throughout, with many Mexican supporters adopting Morocco for the night and reviving chants of "No era penal (It wasn't a penalty)", recalling the controversial penalty that helped the Netherlands eliminate Mexico at the 2014 World Cup.
The substitute's impact was immediate as he won a flick-on that released Summerville, whose persistence created the opening for Gakpo to sweep a first-time finish beyond Bounou in the 72nd minute.
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| Issa Diop equalised in stoppage-time for Morocco (Reuters) |
Playing days after he and his partner lost their unborn son during pregnancy, Gakpo broke down in tears as teammates rushed to embrace him.
The Netherlands looked increasingly comfortable, with captain Virgil van Dijk producing a crucial intervention to deny Saibari as Morocco threw numbers forward in search of an equaliser.
But just as the Dutch appeared set to see out the victory, substitute Chemsdine Talbi delivered a pinpoint cross from the left and Diop rose above Van Dijk to power a stoppage-time header beyond Verbruggen, sending the match into extra time.
"The game plan was working," Van Dijk said. "In the end, in stoppage time, you get pushed back. Then it goes to penalties and then... unfortunately, we’re eliminated.
"Of course, there are always things that could be better, but that doesn't help us now."
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| Reuters |
Momentum swung from end to end, with the Netherlands threatening on the counter as Morocco chased the game, but could not make their pressure count in open play.
Having weathered Gakpo's emotional opener and survived Hakimi's missed chance to settle the shootout, Morocco held their nerve when it mattered most to keep their World Cup dream alive and book a date with Canada in Houston on Saturday.
Additional reporting by Reuters
- Kieran Jackson and Mark Gleeson
NO WORLD CUP CLEAN SHEET FOR GERMANY SINCE 2014 |
Germany have failed to keep a World Cup clean sheet since the 2014 final where they defeated Argentina.
Monday, 29 June 2026
DRAKE CELEBRATES CANADA'S WORLD CUP VICTORY WITH WINNING $770K BET
Canada’s World Cup run got an extra celebrity celebration on Sunday, and it came with a hefty payday. Drake is celebrating a World Cup win on and off the pitch…
Canada's World Cup run got an extra celebrity celebration on Sunday, and it came with a hefty payday.
Drake is celebrating a World Cup win on and off the pitch after Canada defeated South Africa 1-0, cashing a seven-figure sports bet he shared with fans before kickoff.
The Toronto rapper revealed on Instagram that he risked $770,000 through Stake on Canada to advance. The wager carried a potential payout of $1,001,000. After Canada's victory, the bet officially hit, giving Drake a profit of roughly $231,000.
Before the match, Drake couldn't resist having a little fun with one of South Africa's biggest stars.
"@realblackcoffee was chirping in the DM I had to raise the STAKES," he wrote alongside a screenshot of the wager.
Canada's World Cup dream continues
Canada's victory keeps the nation's dream World Cup run alive. As one of the hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, Canada advanced to the Round of 16 after edging South Africa.
For Drake, the win is just the latest chapter in his very public sports betting hobby.
Drake's long history with Stake
Through his partnership with Stake, Drake has made headlines for betting on everything from NBA Finals and UFC title fights to boxing matches and major soccer tournaments. He has regularly shared both his wins and losses with fans.
The latest payout also comes months after Bloomberg Businessweek published an investigation into Stake and Drake's gambling activity on the platform. The report found that Drake won big on slot machine games created by Easygo, Stake's parent company, at a rate far higher than the average player.
Stake disputed the findings, calling them "categorically incorrect," while cofounder Ed Craven has previously denied claims that influencers receive better odds.
The Bloomberg report also came as Stake faced legal scrutiny, including lawsuits accusing the company of operating as an illegal online casino. One lawsuit filed in Virginia described Drake and streamer Adin Ross as paid promoters of the platform.
Drake reportedly signed a $100 million endorsement deal with Stake in 2022 and has frequently livestreamed gambling sessions while sharing his biggest wins and losses online. Sunday just happened to add another win to the highlight reel.
- Kayla Morgan
FORMER WNBA STAR SLAMS LEAGUE OVER PUNISHMENT OF CAITLIN CLARK NEMESIS AS PUNCH CONTROVERSY RUMBLES ON
Former WNBA player and ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike believes the league caved to online pressure to punish Alyssa Thomas for an incident involving Caitlin Clark on what she believes was a routine play.
Last week, Thomas and Clark dove for a loose ball on the floor where slow motion replays appeared to show the former hitting the Indiana Fever star in the throat with a closed fist. At the time, no foul was called due to the quick nature of the incident.
Internet reaction trended toward outrage as Fever fans and right-wing media viewed this as yet another example of the league failing to protect Clark. Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White called the no-call 'absolutely egregious' and 'utterly disrespectful.'
One day later, the league retroactively assessed a flagrant II foul on Thomas and suspended her for a game. Thomas missed a game against the Toronto Tempo on Saturday night.
While Thomas does have a history of playing tough, Ogwumike believes that the angry mob on social media tipped the scales leading to her suspension and that the two players involved moved on after the play.
'To me, overall, officiating has been a universal issue this year. And that's not the goal of any league, but this is the reality,' Ogwumike said on an episode of WNBA Countdown.
"When narratives are created based off of a freeze-frame, that can create a huge problem. The league was reacting to the optics of that image."
—@chiney on the contact between Alyssa Thomas and Caitlin Clark that resulted in Thomas' suspension. pic.twitter.com/jhmv9GzknP
— espnW (@espnW) June 28, 2026
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| WNBA analyst Chiney Ogwumike believes the league suspended Alyssa Thomas as a result of caving to public pressure after slow-motion footage of her incident with Caitlin Clark surfaced |
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| Thomas and Clark both dove for a loose ball, leading to Thomas hitting Clark in the throat Ogwumike said her heart was breaking over the vitriol Thomas is getting from the incident |
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| Ogwumike said her heart was breaking over the vitriol Thomas is getting from the incident |
The former WNBA Rookie of the Year added, 'You're seeing that there's an imperative to call more fouls, but there's still a lack of situational awareness or a lack of control of the game by the refs... You can see one game where one is super physical and one where people are dropping 50. There's been a lack of consistency and this creates a problem in magnifier matchups.
'And this is a magnifier matchup when you look back at it. Alyssa Thomas, Caitlin Clark, both dominant players, but Alyssa plays on the edge. I know her. And Caitlin sometimes embellishes at times in certain instances.
'So when you have a scrum, like you said, there needs to be a hypervigilance. But also this created a position where the league is now forced to be reactive. And instead of having control of not just calling fouls, now the league is reacting and doing something that it rarely does on a non-call and instituting a suspension. And to me, that was unique.'
Ogwumike believes this happened 'because of the optics,' adding, 'I was watching game speed, I didn't really notice too much because people hit the ground all the time.
'But when narratives are created based off of a freeze frame, that can create a huge problem. And I do think that's the league reacting to the optics of that image.'
'If you're watching it in real time, both players - who are known to make their issues known - got up and kept going. That was my thing. And so that's why I have a problem.'
Ogwumike added that the backlash to Thomas 'breaks my heart' because of the 'heightened level of vitriol' that she is facing.
'If the league could really handle this better in real time and figuring out how— we want more points, we want more fouls, but how do we keep an eye on these specific matchups so we can avoid the narratives getting out of our control?' Ogwumike asked.
- JAKE FENNER
POLICE LAUNCH INVESTIGATION AFTER MANAGER IS SUBJECT TO DEATH THREATS AFTER WORLD CUP EXIT
After missing out on a place in the round of 32 on goal difference, South Korea are heading home from the World Cup.
Everything looked like it was going to plan for the Taegeuk Warriors, after a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in their opening match, but two successive defeats, to co-hosts Mexico and then to South Africa, have cost them dearly.
As with many nations who have high hopes of their side making a big push at the tournament, it sparked national outrage when it was confirmed they’d play no further part at the World Cup, but one post online has gone way too far, targeting the manager and former captain of the national side, Hong Myung-bo.
South Korea Boss Subjected to Death Threats Online
In the wake of their exit, South Korean police have now launched an investigation after a violent death threat was posted online targeting Hong, one of Korea's best players of all time. The post, made by someone who is supposedly a 41-year-old American citizen, threatened to kill Hong at Incheon International Airport upon his return home.
Authorities are now considering intimidation charges and working to track down the suspect's identity, as public anger over the team's tournament exit continues to brew.
The threat represents a serious escalation of frustration that has already manifested in several other forms. A doctored image circulated online appeared to suggest Hong ordered players to scatter upon his arrival at the airport, while "Hong Myung-bo banned" notices have reportedly been posted at restaurants and cafes across Gyeonggi Province.
The anger largely stems from Korea's 0-1 defeat to South Africa in their final Group A match, which they were heavily backed to win and progress into the knockout rounds. Police have confirmed they are monitoring Incheon Airport and other potential locations closely to ensure Hong's safety upon his return.
Hong Myung-bo's Future
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| Kim Soo-Hyeon via Reuters |
The situation reignited questions surrounding Hong's controversial reappointment as head coach back in 2024, a decision that drew criticism over the transparency of the Korea Football Association's selection process at the time.
A petition calling for his immediate dismissal had already gathered enough support to trigger an initial review by the National Assembly, and the president of South Korea was even involved, though Hong has since resigned from his position.
Even so, the emergence of direct threats against his safety has shifted attention away from those administrative matters entirely, with authorities now focused on protecting him and holding whoever issued the threat accountable.
- Joshua Waite
SOUTH AFRICA: GOVERNMENT COMMENDS BAFANA BAFANA FOR A HISTORIC FIFA WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN
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| Getty |
Government has commended Bafana Bafana for an outstanding and historic FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign following their encounter against Canada.
The match resulted in a 0 - 1 win for Canada.
In a statement after the game on Sunday night, government expressed "immense pride" in what Bafana Bafana has achieved in the duration of the World Cup.
"For the first time in South Africa's history, Bafana Bafana reached the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup, inspiring millions of South Africans and making the Southern African region proud.
"Throughout the tournament, the players, coaches and technical team displayed courage, resilience, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to representing the country with honour and distinction. Their performances demonstrated that South African football can compete confidently on the biggest stage in world football."
Government also thanked all South Africans who united behind the national team throughout the tournament.
"The overwhelming support shown by citizens across the country reflected the spirit of unity, patriotism, and hope inspired by Bafana Bafana.
"Although this marks the end of South Africa's FIFA World Cup 2026 journey, Bafana Bafana has left an enduring legacy and laid a strong foundation for the future of South African football. The nation celebrates this historic achievement and looks forward with confidence to even greater success in the years ahead.
"Thank you, Bafana Bafana. You made South Africa proud!"
- All Africa
NINE AFRICAN COUNTRIES RECORDED THE HIGHEST CANADIAN VISITOR VISA REVECTION RATES AHEAD OF THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP
Highest visa rejection rates (2026 World Cup)
1. 🇨🇩 DRC - Refusal Rate: 96.1% - Approved: 15 - Refused: 370 - Total Processed: 385
2. 🇰🇪 Kenya - Refusal Rate: 91.1% - Approved: 20 - Refused: 205 - Total Processed: 225
3. 🇬🇭 Ghana - Refusal Rate: 89.3% - Approved: 185 - Refused: 1,540 - Total Processed: 1,725
4. 🇨🇲 Cameroon - Refusal Rate: 87.0% - Approved: 15 - Refused: 100 - Total Processed: 115
5. 🇳🇬 Nigeria - Refusal Rate: 86.0% - Approved: 110 - Refused: 675 - Total Processed: 785
6. 🇸🇳 Senegal - Refusal Rate: 85.3% - Approved: 25 - Refused: 145 - Total Processed: 170
7. 🇪🇹 Ethiopia - Refusal Rate: 78.6% - Approved: 30 - Refused: 110 - Total Processed: 140
8. 🇩🇿 Algeria - Refusal Rate: 73.5% - Approved: 65 - Refused: 180 - Total Processed: 245
9. 🇪🇬 Egypt - Refusal Rate: 59.1% - Approved: 225 - Refused: 325 - Total Processed: 550
Source: CTVNews/Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
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