World Cup draw could hardly have gone better for US
The United States could hardly have asked for a better draw at the 2026 World Cup.
The co-host should expect to stick around at its own party until at least the round of 32 after being grouped with Paraguay, Australia and the winner of a European playoff between Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo and Romania in Friday’s draw, attended by President Donald Trump in Washington.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino will take nothing for granted but with none of those nations ranked in the top 20 by FIFA it would be a major disappointment if his team failed to advance as one of the top two in Group D or via the safety net as a best-performing third-place qualifier.
Another co-host, Mexico, will also expect to progress from a group with South Africa, South Korea and one of Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic or Ireland.
Third co-host Canada’s group could look significantly more difficult if four-time world champion Italy qualifies via the playoffs. Canada, which has never won a point at the World Cup, also drew Qatar and Switzerland.
Supersized World Cup creates benign draw
The relatively kind draws for the co-hosts looks like a consequence of a supersized 48-team World Cup, up from 32 teams.
With so many teams and a seeded draw, it was natural the biggest nations would be kept apart in the opening phase.
There was no obvious “group of death.”
France was drawn with Senegal, Norway and one of Bolivia, Suriname or Iraq.
England, ranked No. 4, has No. 10-ranked Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
The group phase may deliver shocks but it is hard to see the real jeopardy for the top seeded teams.
Defending champion Argentina has to navigate only Algeria, Austria and Jordan, while European champion Spain has Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, however, insisted danger was all around.
“People think there are easy groups but it is a very similar level,” de la Fuente said. “This will be a historic World Cup because there’s an exceptional level all round. These games force you to play at your best.”
Some standout matches
Morocco was one of the stories of the last World Cup by becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals. And it has the chance to make a statement in its first game next year against mighty Brazil.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui said it will be “one of the greatest matches” of the tournament.
“We want to try to win the group or at least get through to the next phase,” he told TV Globo. “Since the 2022 World Cup everyone wants to beat us.”
England vs. Croatia is a repeat of a 2018 semifinal. Croatia won on that occasion and was a semifinalist again in 2022. England is one of the title favorites next year after back-to-back European Championship finals.
There’s a repeat of one of the biggest ever World Cup upsets when France takes on Senegal. Senegal stunned the then-defending champion France 1-0 in 2002.
“We know this is a very tough group, we cannot rest,” France coach Didier Deschamps said.
Big tests for underdogs
Tiny Curaçao and Cape Verde will share the stage with titans of international soccer.
Curaçao is the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for the World Cup and will play four-time champion Germany. Cape Verde is the third smallest to qualify and is grouped with Spain.
Scotland, at its first World Cup since 1998, faces familiar opposition in Brazil. The nations have met on four previous occasions at sport’s biggest event — 1974, ‘82, ’90 and ‘98 — and Scotland didn’t win any of them.
The Scots were also grouped with Morocco in 1998 and will meet again.
Haiti completes Group C.
Messi and Ronaldo could go head-to-head
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are on course to set a new record of appearing at six World Cups.
Should Argentina and Portugal win their respective groups, the earliest the two greats could meet would be in the quarterfinals in Kansas City.
Messi ended his long wait to win the World Cup when he led Argentina to glory in 2022.
Ronaldo is still waiting to win the one major trophy that has eluded him and this is surely his last chance, given he will be 41 when the tournament kicks off.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/world-cup-draw-could-hardly-213949101.html
Gladbach win at Mainz thanks to Da Costa's own goal
Gladbach’s team celebrate the own goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Mewa Arena. Uwe Anspach/dpa
Danny da Costa’s comical own goal gave Borussia Mönchengladbach the three points in a 1-0 Bundesliga win at Mainz on Friday.
Gladbach thought they had broken the deadlock in the 17th minute as Maxim Leitsch fired against his own target, but the goal was ruled out due to a handball in the play.
But it was still thanks to an own goal that the guests will travel back home with a win.
Jens Castrop was denied by goalkeeper Daniel Batz from close range and from the resulting corner, Haris Tabaković’s header deflected off Da Costa’s back and fell into the goal in the 58th.
The win was a bright spot in Gladbach’s week after they were eliminated from the German Cup in a 2-1 defeat to St Pauli on Tuesday.
Ahead of the weekend matches, they are ninth with 16 points.
Mainz, meanwhile, dismissed coach Bo Henriksen earlier this week, but the team couldn’t spark a reaction under interim boss Benjamin Hoffmann.
They haven’t won a game since their only league victory this season in September and are last in the Bundesliga table.
Leaders Bayern Munich visit Cup champions VfB Stuttgart on Saturday, when RB Leipzig host Eintracht Frankfurt. On Sunday, Borussia Dortmund welcome Hoffenheim, while SV Hamburg and Werder Bremen stage the first Northern derby in the Bundesliga since 2018.
Mainz Silvan Widmer (L) and Gladbach’s Rocco Reitz battle for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Mewa Arena. Uwe Anspach/dpaMainz Benedict Hollerbach (L) and Gladbach’s Joe Scally battle for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Mewa Arena. Uwe Anspach/dpa
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/gladbach-win-mainz-thanks-da-213942891.html
Phillies mentioned as potential landing spot for three-time NPB All-Star pitcher
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Phillies mentioned as potential landing spot for three-time NPB All-Star pitcher originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Philadelphia Phillies come into the offseason with a lot on their mind. They are at risk of losing some key players like Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Ranger Suarez in free agency.
Those three have been big contributors, and the club will do its best to retain all three. However, that could wind up being quite difficult with other clubs having interest in these players.
While some moves have already been made, the MLB Winter Meetings are likely to kick off a plethora of moves. Fans will want to pay attention when those meetings begin in a few days.
Phillies mentioned as potential landing spot for three-time NPB All-Star pitcher
One player’s name has been picking up steam lately is Tatsuya Imai. He was a three-time All-Star in Japan and would like to play for a big-market team on the East Coast. That means the Phillies are a real threat here.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan views them as a potential landing spot, alongside the New York Yankees and New York Mets.
“If Schwarber signs and unclogs the market, expect others to fall – either toward the end of the meetings or in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai could wind up with a big-market team on the East Coast, and the Yankees – with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon expected to miss the start of the season – Mets and Philadelphia are reasonable landing spots.”
The Yankees could use another frontline starter with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon to miss the start of the 2026 season, and the Mets are looking to bolster their rotation and pair someone with Nolan McLean after his lights-out performance late in 2025.
Adding Imai would improve Philadelphia’s rotation, especially if they can retain Suarez as well. However, with the Yankees and Mets’ level of spending, that could be tough.
More MLB news:
Orioles linked to former All-Star arm to help bolster the rotation
Yankees linked to three-time NPB All-Star to help stabilize injury-riddled rotation
Mariners urged to take a closer look at this reliever with a funky arm slot
Phillies’ Harrison Bader receives $25 million contract projection from ESPN insider
MLB insider links three-time All-Star free agent to the Phillies
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/phillies-mentioned-potential-landing-spot-213934330.html
Championship: Hull pull one back after high-flying Middlesbrough hit four
Strelec steers Middlesbrough into ninth-minute leadGilbert doubles advantage, Whittaker curls in fine third, McGree makes it four before half-timeGelhardt wins and converts penalty to pull one back for ninth-placed HullKick-off delayed by 15 minutes due to weather and travel issuesSecond-placed Boro start night 10pts behind Championship leaders CoventryHave your say using Get Involved button, #bbcefl on X, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Championship: Hull pull one back after high-flying Middlesbrough hit four
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/championship-build-hull-city-v-191419569.html
Dillon Brooks on his 'Dillon the Villain' moniker: It's like what Kobe had with the Black Mamba
Oh No He Didn’t: Dillon on his villain nickname: “I’ve been taking it on. It’s like what Kobe said having the black mamba in between the lines and being Kobe Bryant outside of the lines. I’ve been living that, it’s been giving me a lot of energy, clarity and when I come between those lines it’s about just the Dillon the Villain, being who I am and expressing every single facet of my game. I like it. It’s pretty cool. It rhymes”
Dillon on his villain nickname:
“I’ve been taking it on. It’s like what Kobe said having the black mamba in between the lines and being Kobe Bryant outside of the lines. I’ve been living that, it’s been giving me a lot of energy, clarity and when I come between those lines it’s… pic.twitter.com/r6teWegKsu
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) December 5, 2025
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Dillon Brooks on his ‘Dillon the Villain’ moniker: It’s like what Kobe had with the Black Mamba
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dillon-brooks-dillon-villain-moniker-213659426.html
Oh No He Didn't: Dillon Brooks: …
Oh No He Didn’t: Dillon Brooks: “In this league there’s a lot of pretty stuff, a lot of cute stuff and that’s not my brand of style. I know that can ultimately make you lose games. The dawgs, playing hard and playing the right way gets you wins day in and day out”
Dillon Brooks:
“In this league there’s a lot of pretty stuff, a lot of cute stuff and that’s not my brand of style. I know that can ultimately make you lose games. The dawgs, playing hard and playing the right way gets you wins day in and day out” pic.twitter.com/p3Pi7MjXPG
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) December 5, 2025
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Oh No He Didn’t: Dillon Brooks: …
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/oh-no-didnt-dillon-brooks-213658757.html
Anthony Slater: Steph Curry and Al Hoford are out …
Anthony Slater: Steph Curry and Al Hoford are out tomorrow for the Warriors in Cleveland. Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, De’Anthony Melton and Seth Curry are questionable. It’s the front side of a back-to-back. Warriors play in Chicago on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Anthony Slater: Steph Curry and Al Hoford are out …
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/anthony-slater-steph-curry-al-213656409.html
Grant Afseth: P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford have …
Grant Afseth: P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford have been ruled out against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Neither player was at Dallas Mavericks shootaround at Paycom Center.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Grant Afseth: P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford have …
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/grant-afseth-p-j-washington-213655900.html
Austin Krell: Joel Embiid (left knee injury recovery) …
Austin Krell: Joel Embiid (left knee injury recovery) is OUT tonight at the MIL Bucks. Paul George is not on the injury report.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Austin Krell: Joel Embiid (left knee injury recovery) …
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/austin-krell-joel-embiid-left-213654849.html
Lakers at Celtics Preview: A historic rivalry battle without Dončić and LeBron
#77 PG Luka Doncic and #11 C Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate a made basket during an NBA game against the New Orlean Pelicans on November 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.
Lakers (16–5) at Celtics (13–9) | Game 22 of 82
Where to Watch and What Time
📅 Date: Friday, Dec. 5
⏰ Tip-off: 4:00 p.m. PST
📍 Location: TD Garden — Boston
📺 TV: Prime Video, Spectrum SportsNet
📻 Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
Game Preview
The Lakers are coming off a thrilling 123-120 win in Toronto on Thursday that saw Rui Hachimura sink a game-winning corner 3 as time expired, Austin Reaves drop 44 points and LeBron James score his lowest points in a game (eight) for the first time since 2007, which broke a scoring streak that stands at 1,297 games.
Los Angeles is set for the Celtics in Boston for the first time this season. The Lakers will continue to be without the NBA’s top scorer, Luka Dončić, due to personal reasons, and now James, as both teams come in on the second night of back-to-back games.
The Lakers, who still own the second-best record in the West at 16-5, have a 9-2 record on the road, while the Celtics sit fifth in the East at 13-9 and 7-4 at home.
The Lakers split 1-1 last season with the Celtics and this will be the 303rd time these two historic franchises face each other, a rivalry that dates back to 1948 when the Lakers were in Minneapolis.
The Celtics are coming off a 45-point blowout win over the Wizards on Thursday behind a 30-point night from Derrick White and seven total Celtics in double figures. Boston is riding a three-game win streak and winners of five of their last six games.
The Opponents’ Leaders
With Jayson Tatum out indefinitely this season after rupturing his Achilles tendon during Game 4 of last season’s Eastern Conference semifinals, Jaylen Brown has taken the No. 1 option reins for Boston.
In which he’s been the fifth-highest scorer in the NBA, averaging 29 points a game. Brown has led the Celtics in scoring over 40 points in two of the Celtics’ last four games.
Payton Pritchard and White have also caused headaches for teams, with both averaging 17 points. Newcomer Anfernee Simons has been Boston’s sixth man of the season, averaging 13.7 points on 40.7% shooting from 3.
Opponents’ Ranks Among the NBA
Strengths:
lowest turnover team in the NBA (11.6 per contest)
No. 1 team in the NBA in screen assists (9.8) and screen assists points (23.9)
3rd-highest-rated offensive team in the NBA (121.4)
3rd in 2nd chance points (17.9 per contest) — they’ve scored the most among all teams this season
4th in 3s made a game (15.4)
5th in the NBA in plus/minus (+6)
Weaknesses:
The Celtics’ motto to live and die by the three has resulted in them scoring the second-lowest total points in the paint in the NBA this season.
28th in points in the paint (43.6 per contest)
27th in assists per game (24.4 per contest)
28th in opponent’s 2nd chance points allowed—allowing the third most per game at 17.3
Injury Report
Lakers:
LeBron James was first listed as doubtful and then downgraded to out on Friday afternoon for the second night of back-to-backs.
The #Lakers have downgraded LeBron James to OUT for tonight in Boston.
LA will be without two of their top 3 players against the Celtics who will likely have Jaylen Brown back after missing Thursday’s 45-point blowout win over Washington. https://t.co/OPo01YsoRE
— Carlos Yakimowich (@CarlosYakJr) December 5, 2025
Luka Dončić (personal reasons): Out
LeBron James (right sciatica and left foot joint arthritis): Out
Marcus Smart (lower back management): Out
Celtics:
Brown did not play on Thursday in Boston’s matchup against the Wizards because of an illness, which means he’ll be (very likely) fresh and ready to go, coincidentally, against the Lakers as both teams prepare for their second night of a back-to-back.
So the Celtics will most likely have a clean slate on their injury front.
Jaylen Brown (illness): Day-to-day
Threads for the Game
The Lakers will rock their gold threads on the road, while the Celtics will wear their white Association Edition unis.
Next Matchup
The Lakers will end their three-game road trip on Sunday in Philadelphia and then come back to L.A. for their quarterfinal NBA Cup game against the Spurs on Dec. 10.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lakers-celtics-preview-historic-rivalry-213629937.html
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