Press conference news — SportsCatch

Conceicao urges Portugal to match Ronaldo's hunger as World Cup campaign falters after DR Congo draw

Francisco Conceicao has called on Portugal's younger players to surpass Cristiano Ronaldo's drive and dedication after a frustrating 1-1 draw with DR Congo left their World Cup campaign in need of a response against Uzbekistan in Houston on Tuesday.

Football Jun 22

Garry vows to outgrapple Makhachev at UFC 330: 'I'll bounce him on his skull'

Ian Garry has declared he will beat Islam Makhachev at his own game when the pair meet for the welterweight title at UFC 330 in Philadelphia on August 15, insisting his size, speed and takedown defence will expose the Dagestani champion in ways no opponent has before.

MMA Jun 22

Magomedov calls Strickland's sparring impression 'a pale imitation' ahead of UFC Baku

Sharabutdin 'Shara Bullet' Magomedov has dismissed Sean Strickland's attempt to mimic his flashy style in sparring as a pale imitation, while also admitting he was surprised Strickland ever became UFC champion. Magomedov faces Michel Pereira at UFC Baku on June 27.

MMA Jun 22

Garry vows to end Makhachev's record-tying 16-fight streak at UFC 330 in Philadelphia

Ian Machado Garry will challenge UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev in the UFC 330 main event on August 15 in Philadelphia. Garry, 10-1 in the octagon after wins over Belal Muhammad and Carlos Prates, says he will end Makhachev's historic 16-fight winning streak.

MMA Jun 22

Partey breaks silence on World Cup visa ban as Ghana prepare to face England

Thomas Partey has spoken for the first time since a Canadian court refused to overturn his visa denial, calling the absence from Ghana's opening World Cup fixture against Panama 'just part of football' as he prepares to face England.

Football Jun 22

Magomedov calls Pereira a 'hypocrite' and 'Instagram farmer' ahead of UFC Baku middleweight clash

Sharabutdin 'Shara Bullet' Magomedov has accused Michel Pereira of chasing social media clout, branding him a hypocrite for carrying the Israeli flag after a 2023 fight and then filming a dog rescue in Brazil for online attention.

MMA Jun 22

Dana White calls UFC White House card 'biggest thing we've ever done' as global numbers loom

Dana White says 17 million viewers tuned into the UFC White House event, with 7 million average viewers in the United States alone. He insists the full global figures, due next week, will make the numbers look even more significant.

MMA Jun 22

Erasmus backs Pollard after 'worst player on the pitch' verdict from Zebo

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has defended Handré Pollard following sharp criticism from pundit Simon Zebo, who labelled the fly-half the worst player on the pitch in the Bulls' 36-7 URC final defeat to Leinster.

Rugby Jun 22

FIFA defends MetLife pitch as Saliba, Deschamps and fans criticise surface ahead of England vs Panama

The MetLife Stadium pitch has drawn sharp criticism from France defender William Saliba and manager Didier Deschamps after their opening World Cup match, with FIFA issuing a formal statement defending the surface ahead of England's Group L clash with Panama on June 27.

Football Jun 22

Rashford urges England brotherhood as he battles Gordon for World Cup starting spot

Marcus Rashford has called on England to 'fight for each other' as Thomas Tuchel builds a squad mentality ahead of their Group L clash with Ghana. The Manchester United forward, a substitute in the 4-2 win over Croatia, is competing with Anthony Gordon for a starting berth.

Football Jun 22

Hadjar reveals how Verstappen's openness helps him survive Red Bull's toughest test

Isack Hadjar has opened up on life alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, describing the four-time world champion as surprisingly candid with information — while admitting the Dutchman's pace demands he "dig very deep" every time he leaves the garage.

Formula 1 Jun 22

Doué, Olise, Cherki and Mbappé all smiles: France in top form before Iraq

On the eve of their second 2026 World Cup match against Iraq, France's players opened their training session in Philadelphia, with technical exchanges between Désiré Doué and Michael Olise taking centre stage.

Football Jun 22

L'Équipe apologises after presenter calls Doku's childbirth wish 'useless' during World Cup row

French sports broadcaster L'Équipe has distanced itself from presenter France Pierron's remarks criticising Belgium winger Jeremy Doku for wanting to leave the World Cup to witness the birth of his first child, calling her comments a breach of its values.

Football Jun 22

Anderson names Declan Rice as his biggest inspiration ahead of England's World Cup clash with Ghana

Elliot Anderson has singled out Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice as his primary role model after making his World Cup debut in England's 4-2 opening win over Croatia. The Nottingham Forest man is set to earn his 11th cap when England face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday.

Football Jun 22

Bielsa caught out by fair-play controversy in Uruguay's 2-2 draw with Cape Verde

Uruguay drew 2-2 with Cape Verde in the 2026 World Cup group stage, but a controversial sequence in the first half has drawn criticism. Uruguayan midfielder Federico Viñas was accused of exploiting an injured Cape Verde player to help set up Maximilliano Araújo's 44th-minute equalizer, sparking outrage from Cape Verde's manager Bubista, who criticized Bielsa's apparent departure from the fair-play principles he has long championed.

Football Jun 22

FIFA defends MetLife Stadium pitch after Vinicius and Rabiot call surface unplayable

FIFA has issued a statement insisting the MetLife Stadium pitch is fit for elite competition after Brazil's Vinicius Junior and France midfielder Adrien Rabiot openly criticised its hard, dry playing surface during the 2026 World Cup group stage.

Football Jun 22

Spence shrugs off Tuchel's viral training outburst as England build World Cup momentum

Djed Spence has played down Thomas Tuchel's televised dressing-down in training, calling it 'part of the game' after the England manager was caught on camera shouting at the Tottenham full-back during a passing drill. Spence made his World Cup debut as England beat Croatia 4-2.

Football Jun 22

Watkins urges England to seal knockout spot against Ghana with World Cup ambitions growing

Ollie Watkins has called on England to top Group L and qualify for the last 32 with a game to spare when they face Ghana on Tuesday, while acknowledging the threat posed by Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo.

Football Jun 22

Vowles warns Williams faces another tough test at fast and frantic Austrian GP

Williams team principal James Vowles has offered a candid assessment ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, cautioning that the Red Bull Ring's short, congested lap and track-limits hazards could expose the same weaknesses that hampered the team in Barcelona.

Formula 1 Jun 22

Tearful Egypt boss Hassan takes dig at Salah's misuse after historic World Cup win over New Zealand

Egypt claimed their first-ever World Cup victory, beating New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver as Mohamed Salah played a key role in the comeback. An emotional Hossam Hassan then appeared to take aim at coaches who had mishandled the forward.

Football Jun 22