Saturday, 4 July 2026
THE PARTICIPANTS LIST OF THE 2026 TOUR DE FRANCE,.THE BIB NUMBERS AND THE STARTING ORDER OF THE TEAM TIME TRIAL IN BARCELONA
The Tour de France 2026 kicks off this Saturday, July 4, with the team time trial in Barcelona 🇪🇸 (see the detailed Tour de France route).
Twenty-three teams of eight riders each will form a peloton of 184 riders for this Tour de France 2026, with Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) naturally the top favorite, but the field also includes Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), who has clearly shown he’s in top form by winning Paris-Nice, the Tour of Catalonia, and the [[Giro d’Italia]], as well as Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), who is making a fresh start with his new team and would like to put the bitter taste of the Tour de France 2025 behind him, when he withdrew on Stage 14. Also in the field is the young and promising Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM Team), though perhaps he should start by simply getting a feel for the Tour de France during his first appearance at age 19, before thinking about the general classification?
Statistics on the riders and teams participating in the 2026 Tour de France
To begin with, let’s first look at some statistics regarding the riders set to compete in the Tour de France 2026. The 184 riders represent 27 countries in this 113th edition of the Tour de France:
for the first time since 1980, Belgium leads the nations’ ranking with 31 riders
France, the host country, ranks second with 30 riders, and this is the first time since 2007 that it has not been in the lead
the Netherlands rounds out the top three with 17 riders
The average age of the peloton is 29 years and 16 days, and the youngest rider, as mentioned above, is Paul Seixas, who is 19 years and 283 days old today. He is the youngest rider to compete since Adrien Cento in 1937 (19 years and 118 days).
There are 50 riders making their Tour de France debut, including Seixas (bringing the total number of riders to have started in the history of the Tour de France to 5,509).
41 riders are in contention for the white jersey as best young rider, reserved for riders born in 2001 or later.
The oldest rider in the peloton is Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious), who will be making his 8th start at the age of 38 years and 265 days. But the riders with the most starts are Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Warren Barguil (Team Picnic PostNL), and Luke Durbridge (Team Jayco AlUla), who are each making their 12th appearance.
There will be three Yellow Jersey winners at the start: the riders who have won the last seven editions — Tadej Pogacar (2020, 2021, 2024, 2025), Jonas Vingegaard (2022, 2023), and Egan Bernal (2019).
Following last weekend’s national championships, 11 national road championship titles and 11 national time trial championship titles will be represented at the start, accounting for 20 different riders (Isaac del Toro (Mexico) and Mathias Vacek (Czech Republic) hold both titles for their respective countries).
Participating teams, riders, and jersey numbers
Here are the 23 teams competing in the Tour de France 2026 along with their riders and jersey numbers:
UAE Team Emirates XRG
1/ Tadej POGACAR
2/ Isaac DEL TORO
3/ Felix GROSSSCHARTNER
4/ Brandon MCNULTY
5/ Nils POLITT
6/ Florian VERMEERSCH
7/ Tim WELLENS
8/ Adam YATES
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
11/ Jonas VINGEGAARD
12/ Edoardo AFFINI
13/ Bruno ARMIRAIL
14/ Victor CAMPENAERTS
15/ Per Strand HAGENES
16/ Matteo JORGENSON
17/ Sepp KUSS
18/ Davide PIGANZOLI
Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
21/ Remco EVENEPOEL
22/ Mattia CATTANEO
23/ Nico DENZ
24/ Jai HINDLEY
25/ Florian LIPOWITZ
26/ Jan TRATNIK
27/ Tim VAN DIJKE
28/ Maxim VAN GILS
Lidl-Trek
31/ Juan AYUSO
32/ Derek JAMES GEE
33/ Mads PEDERSEN
34/ Quinn SIMMONS
35/ Mattias SKJELMOSE
36/ Toms SKUJINS
37/ Mathias VACEK
EF Education-EasyPost
41/ Richard CARAPAZ
42/ Kasper ASGREEN
43/ Alex BAUDIN
44/ Ben HEALY
45/ Sean QUINN
46/ Georg STEINHAUSER
47/ Michael VALGREN
48/ Max WALKER
Decathlon CMA CGM Team
51/ Paul SEIXAS
52/ Tiesj BENOOT
53/ Cees BOL
54/ Daan HOOLE
55/ Olav KOOIJ
56/ Aurélien PARET PEINTRE
57/ Nicolas PRODHOMME
58/ Matthew RICCITELLO
XDS Astana Team
61/ Sergio HIGUITA
62/ Davide BALLERINI
63/ Aaron MURRAY GATE
64/ Max KANTER
65/ Harold TEJADA
66/ Mike TEUNISSEN
67/ Simone VELASCO
68/ Nicolya VINOKUROV
Bahrain Victorious
71/ Lenny MARTINEZ
72/ Phil BAUHAUS
73/ Damiano CARUSO
74/ Kamil GRADEK
75/ Matej MOHORIC
76/ Robert STANNARD
77/ Antonio TIBERI
78/ Vlad VAN MECHELEN
NetCompany INEOS Cycling Team
81/ Egan BERNAL
82/ Thymen ARENSMAN
83/ Tobias FOSS
84/ Filippo GANNA
85/ Dorian GODON
86/ Michal KWIATKOWSKI
87/ Joshua TARLING
88/ Kévin VAUQUELIN
Soudal Quick-Step
91/ Tim MERLIER
92/ Pascal EENKHOORN
93/ Valentin PARET PEINTRE
94/ Jasper STUYVEN
95/ Dylan VAN BAARLE
96/ Bert VAN LERBERGHE
97/ Ilan VAN WILDER
98/ Louis VERVAEKE
Alpecin-Premier Tech
101/ Mathieu VAN DER POEL
102/ Ramses DEBRUYNE
103/ Silvan DILLIER
104/ Tim MARSMAN
105/ Jasper PHILIPSEN
106/ Edward PLANCKAERT
107/ Jonas RICKAERT
108/ Emiel VERSTRYNGE
Team Jayco AlUla
111/ Ben O’CONNOR
112/ Pascal ACKERMANN
113/ Luke DURBRIDGE
114/ Felix ENGELHARDT
115/ Michael MATTHEWS
116/ Kelland O’BRIEN
117/ Luke PLAPP
118/ Mauro SCHMID
Uno-X Mobility
121/ Tobias JOHANNESSEN
122/ Jonas ABRAHAMSEN
123/ Anthon CHARMIG
124/ Magnus CORT NIELSEN
125/ Anders JOHANNESSEN
126/ Anders SKAARSETH
127/ Torstein TRÆEN
128/ Søren WAERENSKJOLD
NSN Cycling Team
131/ Biniam GIRMAY
132/ Lewis ASKEY
133/ George BENNETT
134/ Marco FRIGO
135/ Matis LOUVEL
136/ Krists NEILANDS
137/ Jake STEWART
138/ Tom VAN ASBROECK
Movistar Team
141/ Cian UIJTDEBROEKS
142/ Pablo CASTRILLO
143/ Jefferson CEPEDA
144/ Raul GARCIA
145/ Michel HEßMANN
146/ Nelson OLIVEIRA
147/ Javier ROMO
148/ Einer RUBIO
Lotto Intermarché
151/ Arnaud DE LIE
152/ Huub ARTZ
153/ Jenno BERCKMOES
154/ Lars CRAPS
155/ Liam SLOCK
156/ Lennert VAN EETVELT
157/ Baptiste VEISTROFFER
158/ Georg ZIMMERMANN
Cofidis
161/ Ion IZAGIRRE
162/ Piet ALLEGAERT
163/ Alex ARANBURU
164/ Jenthe BIERMANS
165/ Milan FRETIN
166/ Alex KIRSCH
167/ Hugo PAGE
168/ Benjamin THOMAS
Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
171/ Tom PIDCOCK
172/ Xabier AZPARREN IRURZUN
173/ Christopher HARPER
174/ Quinten HERMANS
175/ Damien CRAIG HOWSON
176/ Xandro MEURISSE
177/ Brent VAN MOER
178/ Fred WRIGHT
Groupama-FDJ United
181/ Romain GREGOIRE
182/ Clément BERTHET
183/ Clément BRAZ AFONSO
184/ Ewen COSTIOU
185/ Lorenzo GERMANI
186/ Guillaume MARTIN GUYONNET
187/ Quentin PACHER
188/ Clément RUSSO
Tudor Pro Cycling Team
191/ Julian ALAPHILIPPE
192/ Arvid DE KLEIJN
193/ Marco HALLER
194/ Marc HIRSCHI
195/ Rick PLUIMERS
196/ Michael STORER
197/ Matteo TRENTIN
198/ Yannis VOISARD
TotalEnergies
201/ Jordan JEGAT
202/ Nicolas BREUILLARD
203/ Joris DELBOVE
204/ Alexandre DELETTRE
205/ Thibault GUERNALEC
206/ Mathis LE BERRE
207/ Anthony TURGIS
208/ Matteo VERCHER
Team Picnic PostNL
211/ Warren BARGUIL
212/ Frits BIESTERBOS
213/ Pavel BITTNER
214/ John DEGENKOLB
215/ Robbe DHONDT
216/ Niklas MÄRKL
217/ Julius VAN DEN BERG
218/ Frank VAN DEN BROEK
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
221/ Fernando GAVIRIA
222/ Abel BALDERSTONE
223/ Sebastian BERWICK
224/ Alex MOLENAAR
225/ Joël NICOLAU
226/ Stefano OLDANI
227/ Jakub OTRUBA
228/ Jose FELIX PARRA
The starting order and times for the teams in the 2026 Tour de France team time trial in Barcelona
Here is the starting order and times for the first stage of the Tour de France 2026, a team time trial through the streets of Barcelona:
01 - 5:05 p.m. - CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA
02 - 5:10 p.m. - TEAM PICNIC POSTNL
03 - 5:15 p.m. - TOTALENERGIES
04 - 5:20 p.m. - TUDOR PRO CYCLING TEAM
05 - 5:25 p.m. - GROUPAMA-FDJ UNITED
06 - 5:30 p.m. - PINARELLO-Q36.5 PRO CYCLING TEAM
07 - 5:35 p.m. - COFIDIS
08 - 5:40 p.m. - LOTTO INTERMARCHE
09 - 5:45 p.m. - MOVISTAR TEAM
10 - 5:50 p.m. - NSN CYCLING TEAM
11 - 5:55 p.m. - UNO-X MOBILITY
12 - 6:00 p.m. - TEAM JAYCO ALULA
13 - 6:05 p.m. - ALPECIN-PREMIER TECH
14 - 6:10 p.m. - SOUDAL QUICK-STEP
15 - 6:15 p.m. - NETCOMPANY INEOS CYCLING TEAM
16 - 6:20 p.m. – BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS
17 - 6:25 p.m. – XDS ASTANA TEAM
18 - 6:30 p.m. - DECATHLON CMA CGM TEAM
19 - 6:35 p.m. - EF EDUCATION - EASYPOST
20 - 6:40 p.m. - LIDL-TREK
21 - 6:45 p.m. - RED BULL - BORA - HANSGROHE
22 - 6:50 p.m. - TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE
23 - 6:55 p.m. - UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG
- Tour de France
F1 BRITISH GP: KIMI ANTONELLI TAKES FIRST SPRINT WIN WITH PASS ON LEWIS HAMILTON
Championship leader Antonelli makes half-distance overtake on sprint polesitter Hamilton to claim first blood at Silverstone
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| Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images |
Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli beat Lewis Hamilton to win a frantic British Grand Prix sprint race at Silverstone for his first Saturday victory of the 2026 campaign.
The Mercedes driver crossed the line 2.7 seconds ahead of the seven-time world champion in a race where Antonelli and Hamilton had proven dominant over the rest of the field.
McLaren's Lando Norris completed the podium, but was seven seconds behind the Ferrari driver as two separate front-running groups quickly emerged during the 17-lap sprint contest.
This was evident right from the start as pole man Hamilton and Antonelli bolted clear at lights out and built a four-second buffer across the opening three laps, with a scrappy battle behind emerging over third place.
That was a five-way tussle between Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, George Russell, Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc, who all continuously traded places in the return of yo-yo racing at the high-energy Silverstone.
Drivers were running with different levels of energy through the lap and this led to overtakes at various parts of Silverstone, whether it be Verstappen's move on Russell at Abbey, or Leclerc on Piastri at Brooklands.
The battle for third started to die down come the halfway mark and, ultimately, it was Norris who emerged victorious, but as he locked down his podium, the battle for the lead finally heated up.
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| Getty |
That came after Hamilton had built a steady one-second advantage over Antonelli, who closed in come lap eight and made his first attack on the home favourite down into Brooklands.
Hamilton held firm but not for too long, as the 19-year-old eventually moved by into the lead on Hangar Straight before soon boasting too much pace for the Ferrari to keep up.
It was around this point on lap 10 when the fight behind Norris intensified once more, as Verstappen dropped into sixth behind Russell and Leclerc before a steady final seven laps.
Russell therefore took fourth behind Norris, finished a second behind the McLaren, ahead of fifth-placed Leclerc and Verstappen in sixth, with Piastri taking two points for coming seventh.
The final points position went to the Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson, who moved into the top eight Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar fell out of the points-paying positions at the start. Lawson defended the point from his former team-mate late, on but in contentious circumstances as he squeezed his former team-mate under braking at Stowe.
This all leaves Antonelli with a 43-point championship advantage over second-placed Russell ahead of Sunday’s grand prix, with third-placed Hamilton now four behind his fellow Briton.
- Ed Hardy
ENGLAND RECEIVE HOSTILE WELCOME AT MEXICO CITY HOTEL AHEAD OF WORLD CUP CLASH
England received a hostile welcome as they arrived at their Mexico City hotel ahead of Sunday night's World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico.
England had been hoping to keep their location undisclosed after Mexico supporters used loud speakers, horns and motorcycles to try to disturb the sleep of Ecuador's players before their last-32 tie, which the co-hosts won 2-0 on Wednesday night.
But when England's coach arrived at their hotel, hundreds of fans were already there, with many booing while others chanted "Mexico."
At least one supporter within the crowd could be seen holding up an England shirt.
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| England faced a hostile environment upon arrival to their team hotel. Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images |
Security has been increased outside the hotel after events earlier in the week, which led to complaints from Ecuador's football federation.
There has also been an increase in security in the city after four people died during the celebrations that followed Mexico's win over Ecuador.
Thomas Tuchel's men take on the co-hosts in a mouth-watering clash at the Estadio Azteca, with kick-off scheduled for 6 p.m. local time (1 a.m. Monday in the United Kingdom).
FIFA had considered moving kick-off forward due to a forecast for storms in the region but, after five-and-a-half hours of uncertainty on Friday evening, the decision was made to stick with the original schedule, the Press Association understands.
Both England and Mexico had voiced opposition to rescheduling the game less than 48 hours before kick-off.
A hostile reception is far from the only challenge England will face in Mexico City, with the Azteca at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres above sea level, meaning players must adapt to lower levels of oxygen in the air.
Mexico have only been beaten twice in 89 matches at the Azteca, winning 70 and drawing 17. They are unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at the stadium.
- PA
DODGERS' SHOHEI OHTANI WON'T PITCH IN ALL-STAR GAME
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says he is not ready to make it official, but moving Ohtani’s pitching start this week means he would have to pitch on short rest in the All-Star Game and the Dodgers are not likely to ask him to do that
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| After a recent change to his pitching schedule, Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani will likely just be a hitter in the All-Star Game later this month in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) |
LOS ANGELES — It’s not official. But it’s obvious.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Friday that the decision to move back Shohei Ohtani’s start this week will make him unavailable to pitch in the All-Star Game later this month.
“I think so,” said Roberts, who is the National League manager for this year’s game. “I haven’t formally said it. But if you just kind of do the math, it would be hard to imagine. But I don’t have to make that decision quite yet.”
The full rosters for the All-Star Game will be announced on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on FOX (Ch. 11). Ohtani has already earned the starting spot as the NL DH by leading all players in voting during the first phase.
Ohtani started Friday night against the San Diego Padres and is lined up to start again next Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. That would put him on just three days of rest before the All-Star Game in Philadelphia. The Dodgers have asked him to pitch on as little as five days of rest just once this season.
Ohtani has only pitched in the All-Star Game once. He started for the American League in 2021 at Coors Field in Denver.
Roberts will have two strong options when choosing his starting pitcher even with Ohtani out of the mix – Milwaukee Brewers flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski or hometown 1Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez.
Ohtani had an 0.74 ERA through his first 10 pitching starts this season but has slipped since then. Over three starts before Friday, Ohtani allowed 11 runs (nine earned) in 18⅔ innings.
Dalton Rushing has been behind the plate for each of those starts, and the two were visibly at odds during Ohtani’s start in Minnesota last week.
“Some of it is Shohei hasn’t had his best stuff recently and that’s the truth,” Roberts said before Friday’s game. “The fastball command hasn’t been what it was earlier in the season. The sweeper hasn’t been the same. He’s started using the split a little bit more recently, which he was using a lot more earlier in the season. So there’s a lot of variables outside of just saying it’s the catcher.”
RUSH POWER
Rushing has been surging at the plate, going 8 for 18 (.444) with a double and two home runs in five games through Thursday. He hit just .179 (15 for 84) in 29 games before that.
Roberts gets some credit for the turnaround. Before last Saturday’s game in San Diego, he went to Rushing with some hitting advice, backed up by video.
“He’s taken it and run with it,” Roberts said. “It was just more of a cue on who he is as a hitter, getting back to finding his particular strike zone versus trying to chase the pitcher all around the hitting zone.
“I pulled some video to show when he is good and what he’s been doing the last couple months. … It kind of landed with him. I ran it by the hitting coaches, so I didn’t go rogue. I got their blessing.”
MAKING PROGRESS
After ruling both catcher Will Smith and utility man Kiké Hernandez out for a return before the All-Star break, both have made progress in their recoveries during the homestand.
Roberts said Smith has been throwing and even hit in the batting cage on Thursday. Smith has been out since June 5 with an inflamed disc in his neck.
Hernandez took batting practice on the field with the team Friday. He has been out since May 26 with an oblique strain suffered in his second game back after recovering from elbow surgery.
UP NEXT
Padres (RHP Griffin Canning, 1-5, 7.09 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 8-5, 2.67 ERA), Saturday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM
- BILL PLUNKETT
Friday, 3 July 2026
CATHOLIC PRIESTS PLAYING FOOTBALL IN 1959
One of the most iconic sports photographs ever taken in Spain.
They weren’t actually priests yet. They were seminarians at the Conciliar Seminary of Madrid.
In 1959, photographer Ramón Masats was commissioned to document daily life inside the seminary. Every day after lunch, the seminarians played football in their cassocks. They had tracksuits. They just couldn’t be bothered to change.
Masats set up behind the goal and waited.
The goalkeeper, 21-year-old Lino Hernando, launched himself through the air trying to stop a shot from fellow seminarian Mariano Enamorado.
The photo ended up in MoMA. Almodóvar referenced it in one of his films.
The goalkeeper is still a priest today. The striker left the cassock after 10 years.
Photo: Ramón Masats, 1959.
MAX VERSTAPPEN SLAMS F1 LEGO PARADE BEFORE BRITISH GP
Max Verstappen has criticised the return of Formula 1’s Lego drivers’ parade at the British GP, insisting drivers should not look like “kids or clowns” before the race at Silverstone.
The concept returns this weekend after its first appearance at the Miami GP last year, where the parade produced chaotic but humorous scenes as drivers bumped into each other and sent Lego bricks flying across the circuit.
This time, all 22 drivers will have their own Lego minicar, with each vehicle built from 28,000 bricks and decorated in the colors of the driver’s 2026 team.
The minicars are limited to a top speed of 25km/h, but Verstappen is not convinced the idea fits the image of Formula 1. Instead, the Red Bull driver would rather keep the traditional parade lap, where drivers stand together on the back of a truck, wave to the fans and give short interviews before the Grand Prix.
Verstappen unhappy with Lego parade
“I prefer to play with Lego at home, you know, with the kids. Not on a go-kart here, to be honest,” Verstappen told Viaplay when asked about the Lego parade.
“I prefer to stand on a truck, just with everyone together. I think that’s more fun and I think it also looks more professional.”
The Lego parade is scheduled to begin at 1:30pm BST on Sunday, 90 minutes before lights out at Silverstone. But Verstappen believes the spectacle is not what F1 needs, even if fans enjoyed the first version in Miami.
“Because at the end of the day we are Formula 1 drivers, I think we should not look like kids and clowns trying to ram into each other,” Verstappen added. “I don’t think that is what Formula 1 needs, but it is what it is.”
The four-time world champion said he has no interest in repeating the chaos of Miami, where several drivers treated the parade more like a novelty race than a ceremonial lap.
“I just do my lap and wave at the fans because they deserve that, to see us,” Verstappen said. “But, of course, from my side I would have loved to see it a little bit different.”
Hamilton also cool on Silverstone stunt
Verstappen is not the only driver to have shown little enthusiasm for the Lego parade.
Lewis Hamilton also cast doubt on his involvement earlier in the weekend, although his reservations were understood to be linked to wider concerns over commercial appearances rather than the concept itself.
“It is the most dangerous part of the weekend,” Hamilton said on Thursday. “I let Charles drive last time and it was just hilarious watching everyone crashing into each other. So, I don’t know whether or not I will be in the Lego car this year.”
When pressed on why he might not take part, Hamilton replied: “There is not really much to say on that. That’s something I need to take offline.”
Ferrari have since confirmed that Hamilton will be involved in the Silverstone event, meaning one of the British GP’s biggest stars will still appear in front of the home crowd.
The seven-time world champion has won the British GP a record nine times and is preparing for his first Silverstone race as a Ferrari driver, giving the pre-race build-up even greater attention.
Norris and Bottas welcome something different
While Verstappen and Hamilton have been less positive, other drivers have welcomed the chance to do something different before the race.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris said he was looking forward to the event, especially after watching how entertaining the Miami version became.
“I’m pretty excited for it, actually!” Norris told the press, including Total-Motorsport.com. “If it’s like Miami, then I think whoever can make it back to the start line will be a winner already. I think it’s a cool thing to do. It’s different.
“Obviously you’re all together and you can have a little chitchat and see the fans when you’re on the truck, but I think it’s nice to do something different every now and then. So as long as it’s safe and we all behave, which we shall, then it will be a jolly good ride.”
Valtteri Bottas was also enthusiastic after missing the Miami parade last year, and the Cadillac driver has already picked out his strategy.
“I’m actually really excited because I missed it in Miami last year when I was watching it. It looked so much fun,” Bottas said. “Because everyone is capped to 25 kilometres per hour, saving distance is probably the key. I’m excited. Saving distance is my strategy, and using tow.”
That split sums up the wider tension around modern F1. The sport is pushing for more fan-facing entertainment and sponsor-led spectacles, while some drivers remain protective of how Formula 1 should present itself on race day.
At Silverstone, the Lego parade will go ahead regardless. Verstappen may not like the idea, but he still intends to complete the lap and acknowledge the fans.
He just does not want the drivers to look like they are playing games before one of the biggest races of the season.
- John Smith
LIVERPOOL REMEMBERS DIOGO JOTA AND ANDRÉ SILVA
Today, as every day, we remember Diogo Jota and André Silva, who tragically passed away one year ago.
Through immeasurable loss and incalculable pain, the impact they made and the legacies they left behind - not only within the footballing world, but in the hearts and minds of so many around the world - has shone through over the last 12 months.
All of our love, support, thoughts and prayers continue to be with Diogo and André's families, friends and all those whose lives were touched by them.
Forever in our hearts, forever our number 20 ❤️
- LFC
NO PAPAYA FOR SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT AS MCLAREN PAYS HOMAGE TO.THEIR FIRST F1 CAR
No papaya this weekend as McLaren have gone for a retro look 😎
- F1
CONOR MCGREGOR ISSUES WARNING TO MAX HOLLOWAY AHEAD OF UFC RETURN
Conor McGregor will return to action for the first time in five years when he takes on Max Holloway in Las Vegas next weekend
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| Conor McGregor speaks out(Image: YouTube - The Ariel Helwani Show) |
Conor McGregor has warned Max Holloway he will face the full brunt of his welterweight power.
McGregor is a week away from fighting for the first time in five years as he prepares for his rematch with Holloway. The rivals first met in 2013 when the Irishman won a points decision at featherweight. McGregor will fight at 170lb for the fourth time in Las Vegas as he welcomes Holloway to the division.
And McGregor believes the Hawaiian will notice the jump. “I feel great, I feel absolutely amazing,” he told The Mac Life. “The work has been exceptional; no corners cut, you know, no flash. We’ve been quiet this camp, and we’ve been at work, so, that’s confidence. If there’s a lack of confidence, you need to share things to get this ego boost. We don’t need it. We’ll do it on the night. I’m excited by it. I’m excited by my team and my country.
“I love a rematch. Who doesn’t love a rematch? The story builds, the tension builds, the fans get excited, they’ve got comparisons, they’ve got, you know, it’s great for business. I’m all for a good rematch. Listen, there’s a different thud when you fight against me.
"I fought against Max many years ago, and I look forward to my improvements on it. Danger will be everywhere inside the Octagon for Max. We are very aware of him in this gym, in this camp. I’ll be out with my paint brush, you know, ready to put on my masterpiece."
Holloway, however, has no fears over his step up in weight. “My thoughts on the fight being at 170 was like, who cares?" he said. “Weight is just a number. Real gladiators back in the day, they didn’t walk around with a scale.
“You show up and you fight, and I’m a fighter. Open weight class, whatever weight class. I’m glad I get to share the Octagon with him.”
-Martin Domin
JULIAN NAGELSMANN QUITS GERMANY AFTER WORLD CUP HUMILIATION AS JÜRGEN KLOPP POISED FOR JOB
Julian Nagelsmann is set to resign as Germany manager following the national team's humiliating World Cup exit to Paraguay, with former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp emerging as the favourite to succeed him
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| Julian Nagelsmann has resigned as Germany manager(Image: Marcel Bonte/Soccrates/Getty Images) |
Julian Nagelsmann has resigned from his position as the head coach of the Germany national team, according to local reports. Jurgen Klopp is tipped to take over the role following rumours about his interest during the World Cup.
Germany suffered a shock exit from the World Cup after losing to Paraguay in a penalty shootout. Nagelsmann was anticipated to stay on until after Euro 2028 and left the decision up to his superiors following the World Cup debacle.
He stated: "I am available. If the DFB [German FA] wants it, then I will do the Euro 2028, and if not then they have to tell me. I'm not someone who runs away."
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| Jurgen Klopp is favourite to take the Germany job(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) |
Nagelsmann conceded that his team could not be ranked among the world's elite. "If you are eliminated by Paraguay, you are just not a first-class football team. I am very disappointed," he expressed.
On Thursday, it was reported that following a meeting with DFB executives, Nagelsmann was advised by the board to consider resigning or risk being dismissed. It seems that the 38-year-old will bow to their wishes, with an official announcement expected today.
Klopp, who has been serving as a pundit at the World Cup, has already been questioned about his willingness to succeed Nagelsmann after Germany's departure.
"I understand that my name is being mentioned," Klopp responded. "But this isn't the moment to talk about it - and certainly not with me."
The ex-Liverpool manager had previously stirred up controversy by hinting that Nagelsmann's reign might not extend much further before the tournament. Klopp, who had been associated with the role, remarked: "Luckily, Julian Nagelsmann is still picking the team. Still."
The repeated use of 'still' was considered disrespectful in Germany, leading to the Red Bull head of global football having to issue an apology.
"I've already found the most hated word of the year: 'Still,'" Klopp confessed during coverage on MagentaTV. "I could have punched myself in the face for that, but it was already too late and I was on TV. It just slipped out so casually and has absolutely no relevance."
Germany haven't clinched a knockout match at the World Cup since their triumph in 2014. Under Joachim Löw in 2018, they were knocked out at the group stage, suffering the same fate under Hansi Flick in 2022. Nagelsmann managed to push the team one step further, albeit only to the round of 32.
- Scott Trotter and Cameron Winstanley
CROATIA COACH BLASTS REFEREE AFTER VAR DRAMA-FILLED FIFA WORLD CUP EXIT IN PORTUGAL DEFEAT
"It was very bad refereeing," Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said, adding that Croatia "should have been given more free kicks.
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| Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic with Luka Modric© AFP |
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic has criticised the refereeing in his side's FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 defeat to Portugal, calling it "very bad refereeing," while also acknowledging that his team cannot use the officiating as an excuse for their elimination, according to Reuters. The comments came after Croatia's 2-1 defeat to Portugal in a tightly contested knockout match, which ended their campaign at the tournament. The result saw Portugal advance to the Round of 16, while Croatia exited after failing to convert several key chances.
Speaking after the match, Dalic said he believed Croatia were denied several free-kick decisions that could have influenced the flow of the game. He expressed frustration over key moments he felt went against his side but maintained that the result ultimately came down to Croatia's own shortcomings in front of goal.
"It was very bad refereeing," Dalic said, adding that Croatia "should have been given more free kicks," according to Reuters.
However, the Croatia coach was quick to temper his criticism, stressing that his team must take responsibility for the defeat. "But Croatia lost. I'm not going to find any excuses," he said, as quoted by Reuters. "We could have won this earlier."
Portugal recovered from an early setback to register a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32. Substitute Goncalo Ramos emerged as the match-winner by heading home a stoppage-time goal to send Roberto Martinez's side into the Round of 16.
Croatia had taken the lead through Ivan Perisic, who became the country's all-time leading World Cup scorer, before Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot after a VAR review.
Croatia had two goals ruled out for offside, including a late equaliser deep into stoppage time, as Portugal held on to set up an all-Iberian Round of 16 clash against Spain. The match also marked the end of Luka Modric's potential World Cup career.
- ANI
Thursday, 2 July 2026
ENGLAND WERE 15 MINUTES FROM HUMILIATION - THE ISSUES TUCHEL MUST SOLVE
England were 15 minutes from one of the most abject humiliations in their World Cup history until Harry Kane's late heroics helped them overcome DR Congo to face Mexico in the last 16.
Kane scored twice to rescue England, as well as head coach Thomas Tuchel, who may not have survived a result that would have ranked alongside the last-16 defeat by Iceland at Euro 2016,and the loss to the United States at the 1950 World Cup, as a national embarrassment.
Instead, England's World Cup dream lives on as they head to Mexico City, and into a nation alive with passion and football fever, to face the co-hosts in the iconic surrounding of Azteca Stadium.
England's win, however, did not cover cracks exposed regularly in this campaign as well as obvious flaws in selection and performance.
Can Tuchel always rely on Kane and Bellingham?
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| England head coach Thomas Tuchel has plenty of issues to resolve before they face Mexico in Mexico City in the World Cup last 16. Getty Images |
Kane and Jude Bellingham have been England's standout performers at this World Cup, contributing goals and world-class inspiration.
The pair were both on target in Group L wins against Croatia and Panama. They were England's leading lights against DR Congo.
It would help England and Tuchel's cause if others could come to the party. As good as Kane and Bellingham are, there will come a day when they do not bail under-performing team-mates and their head coach out.
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| Bellingham and Kane have been England's driving forces as they have reached the World Cup's last 16. Getty |
Anthony Gordon had an outstanding impact off the bench with a part in both goals against DR Congo, but it was a frustrating day for Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke, while Tuchel is still clearly wary of over-exerting Bukayo Saka as he manages an Achilles problem.
Kane and Bellingham revel in responsibility as England's leaders, but it is about time others shared the burden around at this World Cup.
Does Tuchel know his best team?
If Tuchel does know his best team, he is hiding it well – and the amount of shuffling on the flanks and in defence suggests he does not.
The right-back position is becoming a poisoned chalice, either because of injuries or loss of form.
And the sight of Declan Rice, the glue that holds England together as a performer of the highest class in midfield, ending the win against DR Congo at right-back once again hinted at confusion.
Tuchel has self-inflicted wounds because of his selection of two players with a history of injury problems in Tino Livramento and Reece James. Livramento did not even make the World Cup, while there is still no date for James' return from another hamstring injury.
Jarell Quansah, a natural central defender for Liverpool then Bayer Leverkusen, played there against Panama but was injured and missed the victory over DR Congo, when Djed Spence played the first 70 minutes at right-back.
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| Declan Rice ended up playing right-back against DR Congo, the latest player to take on England's problem position. Getty Images |
Ex-England captain Alan Shearer told BBC Sport after that win: "Defensively there were far too many holes in the back four, and when we did give chances away, they scored from their first one, should have scored with the Yoane Wissa one.
"Putting Declan Rice to right-back worked because he was the one that got forward and played a part in the second goal, so Tuchel has a decision to make.
"If you asked me before the game I would have been very reluctant, but he can add a little bit of quality where we have lacked with the players we have picked up to now."
Rice, however, surely offers too much in midfield, so right-back must be a non-starter. If he did actually end up there again it would be an admission by Tuchel that he got his squad horribly wrong.
Asked whether Rice should play at right-back, ex-England defender Micah Richards said: "No, I wouldn't. I feel he can give too much in that central midfield area. If you're going into the Mexico game, which is going to be at altitude, you need his energy in midfield.
"I would go with Ezri Konsa at right-back, and put John Stones alongside Marc Guehi. That is a better balance for the team."
Stones has been left out after starting the win against Croatia. His experience could be invaluable in the Azteca hothouse, especially after Konsa and Guehi went missing for Brian Cipenga's goal.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney added: "For me, there are big concerns. In particular, when England lose the ball they are so open.
"Against a better team, I think we're in big trouble if we don't sort that out. We're so open in midfield."
Throwing in the constant changing on the flanks, it all adds up to Tuchel still having serious questions about his first-choice side.
England still lack creation
The debate has raged over Tuchel's exclusion of natural creators such as Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden from his World Cup squad.
It is easy to say in hindsight as they both had poor seasons at club level. Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White and Bournemouth's Alex Scott had bigger claims, but were also ignored.
There is no doubt, however, that England have lacked creative force, especially in the goalless draw against Ghana.
Brentford's Jordan Henderson, now 36, will only be used as a substitute. Once again the question should be asked - would his place have been better served taken by Gibbs-White or Scott? Or even Palmer or Foden?
Foden was used as a false nine in the Wembley loss to Japan, but the experiment failed and effectively finished his World Cup hopes.
If England go deeper into the World Cup they will need match-shifting moments. As flagged up before, they cannot - and should not - rely on Kane and Bellingham every time.
Has anyone seen Toney and Watkins?
The biggest pre-World Cup worry for England was how they would cope should any misfortune befall captain Kane.
Tuchel went through the card, using Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke in the March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
Clearly unconvinced, he went with Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins after a fine end to the season, and Ivan Toney who is playing in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ahli.
Toney was the big left-field pick, not figuring for the national side for a year following a three-minute appearance as a substitute when England lost a friendly against Senegal in June 2025, and yet suddenly parachuted back into the World Cup squad.
Fortunately Kane is fit and firing – and then some – but has Tuchel really got full faith in Watkins and Toney?
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| Ivan Toney was once again an unused substitute in England's win against DR Congo and has yet to play in the World Cup. Getty Images |
In England's four games so far, Toney has been nowhere to be seen, while Watkins got six minutes as a substitute in place of Kane with victory assured against Panama.
When England needed a goal in the stalemate against Ghana, Toney and Watkins were ignored as Tuchel sent on Saka, Rashford, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers.
When they were chasing the game against DR Congo, they once again remained seated. Tuchel said he had a time in mind for them to come on which, seeing as Kane's winner came four minutes from the end, was presumably very late.
Tuchel will still be keeping his fingers crossed that Kane stays fit, especially with Toney and Watkins placed in cold storage.
- Phil McNulty
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