Press conference news — SportsCatch

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

Deschamps defends Dembélé after subdued display against Senegal

Ousmane Dembélé had a quiet first match for France against Senegal at the World Cup, but manager Didier Deschamps publicly backed his winger, attributing his struggles to a season hampered by injuries and just ten league starts.

Football Jun 22

Iraq coach joked about fielding three goalkeepers to stop France

Before facing France on Monday in Philadelphia, Iraq's coach admitted in a press conference that he asked whether he could field three goalkeepers to contain the French attack. On the France side, three changes are expected in Deschamps' starting eleven.

Football Jun 22

Jahanbakhsh vows to unite Iran as national anthem boos intensify at World Cup 2026

Iran captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh has pledged to play for all Iranians regardless of ideology after the national anthem was loudly booed during their 2026 World Cup matches against New Zealand and Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium.

Football Jun 22

Rennie confirms Fineanganofo's All Blacks call-up despite looming Newcastle move

Dave Rennie has selected Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo in his first All Blacks squad for the 2026 Nations Championship, despite the 17-try scorer being contracted to join Newcastle Red Bulls in 2027. Rennie cited "irresistible" form as the reason for the selection.

Rugby Jun 22

Dave Rennie names Ardie Savea All Blacks captain ahead of 2026 Nations Championship

Ardie Savea has been appointed New Zealand captain by incoming head coach Dave Rennie, succeeding Scott Barrett ahead of July fixtures against France, Italy and Ireland at the 2026 Nations Championship.

Rugby Jun 22

L'Equipe presenter suspended after calling Doku's paternity leave 'disgraceful'

France Pierron has been stood down from her presenting duties at L'Equipe after publicly criticising Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku's decision to leave the 2026 World Cup early to attend the birth of his first child.

Football Jun 21

Kape sets flyweight KO record and calls out champion Van after UFC Vegas 119 win

Manel Kape stopped Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC Vegas 119 to claim a record sixth flyweight knockout in the UFC, avenging a 2017 RIZIN loss. The win extends his streak to four consecutive knockouts and puts him firmly in contention for Joshua Van's flyweight title.

MMA Jun 21

Yamal predicts inevitable move to central role to escape triple-marking, mirroring Messi's evolution

Lamine Yamal believes he will eventually shift from the wing to a central playmaker role at Barcelona, drawing a direct parallel with Lionel Messi's tactical evolution and citing the triple-marking he already faces at 18.

Football Jun 21

Mbappé and Deschamps defend Dembélé ahead of France-Iraq

Criticized after a quiet performance against Senegal, Ousmane Dembélé receives public support from Kylian Mbappé and Didier Deschamps on the eve of France's second match against Iraq.

Football Jun 21

Watkins defends Doku's right to leave World Cup for birth of first child

England striker Ollie Watkins has backed Belgium winger Jeremy Doku's decision to leave the World Cup for the birth of his first child, calling it "anyone else's business" after a French TV presenter sparked backlash by labelling childbirth a "disgusting moment".

Football Jun 21

Dana White backs Pereira's illegal-strikes complaint but stops short of faulting Herb Dean

UFC president Dana White acknowledged that Alex Pereira was genuinely struck to the back of the head during his second-round TKO loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC White House on June 14, calling the Brazilian 'not a whiner' while deferring any appeal to the athletic commission.

MMA Jun 21