Press conference news — SportsCatch

Tuchel confirms Rice fit but James faces late test for England's World Cup clash with Mexico

Thomas Tuchel has declared Declan Rice fit for England's last-16 World Cup tie against Mexico on Sunday, while Reece James will undergo a late fitness assessment to determine whether he can make the matchday squad after a hamstring injury.

Football Jul 5

Tuchel draws on Dortmund's Anfield nightmare to prepare England for Azteca cauldron

Thomas Tuchel has invoked Liverpool's famous 2016 Europa League comeback against his Borussia Dortmund side as a reference point for what England could face against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in the World Cup last 16.

Football Jul 5

Lakai flags 'soft' defensive lapses despite All Blacks edging France in Christchurch

Peter Lakai acknowledged New Zealand's defensive frailties after their two-point win over France in Christchurch, citing quick ruck play and middle-field tries as areas to address ahead of next week's Test.

Rugby Jul 4

Aguirre vows best is yet to come as Mexico target England upset at Azteca farewell

Outgoing Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre has declared Sunday's World Cup Round of 16 clash with England at the Azteca Stadium will be his finest moment in charge, while dismissing FIFA's last-minute kick-off time controversy as a non-issue for his players.

Football Jul 4

Ancelotti confirms Neymar fit for 90 minutes ahead of Brazil's World Cup clash with Norway

Carlo Ancelotti has declared Neymar fully fit to start Brazil's round-of-16 tie against Norway at New York/New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, ending speculation over the 34-year-old's calf injury after just 14 minutes of group-stage action.

Football Jul 4

Rice dismisses Azteca altitude fears as England prepare for Mexico World Cup showdown

Declan Rice insists England are treating their round-of-16 clash against Mexico at the high-altitude Estadio Azteca as 'just a stadium', even as former striker Stan Collymore demands FIFA review the fairness of home-soil hosting arrangements.

Football Jul 4

Savea credits Ruben Love for 'taking control' as All Blacks edge France 34-32 in Christchurch thriller

Ardie Savea singled out Ruben Love as a surprise leadership standout after the All Blacks survived six lead changes to beat an understrength France 34-32 in the first Test at Christchurch's One New Zealand Stadium.

Rugby Jul 4

Marsch insists 'I'd rather be us than them' after Canada's 3-0 World Cup exit to Morocco

Jesse Marsch drew widespread bewilderment after Canada were eliminated from the World Cup, losing 3-0 to Morocco in the Round of 16. The Canada head coach insisted he was prouder of his side's attacking approach than Morocco's clinical, more conservative display.

Football Jul 4

Erasmus praises Springboks debutants but admits pair 'weren't brilliant' in 45-21 rout of England

Rassie Erasmus gave a measured verdict on Cameron Hanekom and Paul de Villiers after the uncapped pair stepped in at the last hour for South Africa's 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park, with Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi both ruled out on the eve of the match.

Rugby Jul 4

Kane vows England will write new Azteca history 40 years after Maradona's Hand of God

Harry Kane has called England's upcoming World Cup knockout tie at the Azteca Stadium a chance to 'write their own history', 40 years after Diego Maradona's Hand of God ended their 1986 campaign in Mexico City.

Football Jul 4

Kane urges fans to celebrate at sunrise as FIFA kick-off chaos forces pubs to scramble

England captain Harry Kane has told supporters to embrace an early-morning celebration after FIFA's repeated changes to the Mexico City kick-off time threw pub owners, travelling fans, and staffing plans into disarray.

Football Jul 4

Wolff says 'emotional' Vasseur misread his Ferrari cost-cap comments at Silverstone

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has pushed back against Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur's claim that he was accusing the Scuderia of cheating, insisting his remarks about Ferrari's upgrade pace were merely an observation and were misunderstood.

Formula 1 Jul 4

Richard criticizes Longoria's financial management at OM: "a very significant accounting hole"

Appointed president of Olympique de Marseille in April, Stéphane Richard has criticized his predecessor Pablo Longoria's financial management in an interview with La Provence, citing a "control problem" following DNCG sanctions.

Football Jul 4

Tuchel expects Mexico's 'every trick' but backs England to make peace with the Azteca

Thomas Tuchel says England are braced for hostile crowds, altitude and logistical disruptions ahead of their World Cup last-16 tie against joint hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, while insisting his squad has the experience to handle it all.

Football Jul 4

Schmidt backs Donaldson after fly-half's last-gasp penalty miss costs Wallabies in 33-31 thriller

Joe Schmidt has pledged his support for Ben Donaldson after the fly-half missed two penalties — including a match-winning attempt in the final play — as Australia fell 33-31 to Ireland in Sydney.

Rugby Jul 4

Carragher savages Tuchel's 'bizarre' Chalobah call as England's right-back crisis deepens at World Cup

Jamie Carragher has criticised Thomas Tuchel's decision to call up Trevoh Chalobah during England's right-back crisis at the 2026 World Cup, calling it 'bizarre' and arguing the problem stems from flawed selections 'from day one'.

Football Jul 4

Rennie hails 'outrageous' 85% ruck speed as All Blacks edge France 34-32 in Christchurch

Dave Rennie singled out New Zealand's lightning-quick ball as the standout statistic from a narrow 34-32 win over France in Christchurch, with 83% of the All Blacks' rucks won inside three seconds in his first Test in charge.

Rugby Jul 4

Shearer demands Tuchel drop Rashford, Spence and Madueke for Mexico World Cup tie

Alan Shearer has called for three changes to England's starting XI ahead of Sunday's World Cup Round of 16 clash against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, criticising Thomas Tuchel's wide selections after a laboured 2-1 win over DR Congo.

Football Jul 4

Hypobaric chambers to secret Kansas City base: how England prepared for Mexico's Azteca

Thomas Tuchel's England have spent months preparing for Monday's last-16 World Cup clash against joint-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, deploying altitude chambers, remote fitness monitoring, and a carefully chosen training base in Kansas City.

Football Jul 4

Verstappen braced for defensive sprint battle as Mercedes and Ferrari hold pace edge at Silverstone

Max Verstappen qualified third for the British Grand Prix sprint race at Silverstone but concedes front-row starters Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli are too quick to chase, leaving him expecting a rearguard fight against Charles Leclerc and George Russell.

Formula 1 Jul 4