Category Sports News

The draw for the 2026 men’s World Cup will take place in Washington this December, US President Donald Trump has announced.

The tournament will take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico and will feature 48 nations – up from 32.

The draw had been expected to be held in Las Vegas, which is where it was completed when the US hosted the 1994 tournament.

However, the draw, on 5 December, will instead go ahead at the Kennedy Center – the performing arts venue where Trump is chairman.

“It’s the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports”, Trump said.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who brought with him the World Cup trophy, also took part in the draw announcement from the Oval Office at the White House.

“The draw will be broadcast live all over the world and will be watched by one billion viewers”, Infantino said.

“It will be 48 participating teams. There will be 104 matches – 104 Super Bowls”!

Infantino offered Trump the opportunity to hold the trophy during the news conference on Friday. “Can I keep it”? Trump asked.

US Open 2025

Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 24 August-7 September

Coverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website & app

Francesca Jones reached the US Open for the first time in her career as she defeated Arianne Hartono in the third qualifying round.

The 24-year-old earned a 6-2 6-4 victory in one hour 20 minutes, and will join fellow Britons Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal in the women’s singles main event which begins on Sunday.

Although Hartono, 29, improved as the set progressed – she hit 13 winners compared to her opponent’s four – the Dutchwoman was made to pay for her 13 unforced errors.

The second set went with serve until the third game, when Jones – top seed in the qualifying draw – fought back from 40-15 down to secure her third break of the day.

World number 187 Hartono immediately hit back with a break of her own as Jones became a little passive, but the Briton tightened her footwork and broke once again to wrestle back control of a topsy-turvy set.

She finished the match with 10 consecutive points on serve before she sprinted over to her team in celebration.

Edgbaston’s Hundred women’s competition

Welsh Fire 150-3 (100 balls): Dunkley 53 (43), Jonassen 44 (17), Schutt 2-11

Phoenix in Birmingham 114-9 (100 balls): Perry 55 (43), Ismail 3-16

36 runs won by Fire.

Phoenix in Birmingham’s slim chances of making it to The Hundred women’s knockout stages were ended by Welsh Fire’s 36-run triumph over Edgbaston, which gave them their first win of the season.

Jess Jonassen, an all-rounder, hit 44 runs with just 17 deliveries, four of them consecutive, to help Fire reach its imposing target of 151 before falling 3-24 with the ball.

Phoenix needed to win their final three games in order to close the 12-point gap to the top three after losing four of their first five, but they were unable to maintain their momentum despite Ellyse Perry scoring half a century.

After six deliveries, Shabnim Ismail, who claimed 3-16 overall, bowled Emma Lamb and caught Marie Kelly lbw, reduced Phoenix to 5-2.

The hosts were briefly held to a 56-run lead by Perry and Georgia Voll, but Welsh Fire’s momentum was sown by Welsh Fire when two wickets in two balls combined, and Phoenix’s inability to establish any other meaningful partnerships prevented them from initiating a serious chase.

In the penultimate set, Perry, who had 55 runs out of 43 balls, was eventually dismissed by Ismail, with Jonassen and Hayley Matthews serving as the other wicket-takers.

To help lay the groundwork for the already-eliminated Fire, Sophia Dunkley and Matthews combined for a 53-run second-wicket stand that included a 71-run second-wicket stand.

This season, Welsh Fire hasn’t had any runs. Prior to this game, top-order batters Matthews and Beaumont had each scored just 65 and 59 runs, while last year’s finalists had only passed 120 once in five innings, twice being dismissed for under 100.

Dunkley, who has now gone 30 in four of her six innings, has been the only bright spot for Fire.

The opener opened up against Perry after seven balls to reach two, dispatching the Phoenix skipper for three boundaries in four deliveries before eventually scoring six of her innings against the Australia all-rounder.

Phoenix should have taken two wickets in two balls after Hannah Baker had bowled her, but Amy Jones missed a crucial opportunity to stump Jonassen for a duck.

Before being caught in the deep by Marie Kelly as she attempted to raise her fifty with another boundary, Jonassen smashed Baker for four consecutive sixes with her side 122-2 before being chased up by her side for her final 10 deliveries.

On Saturday, Northern Superchargers host Oval Invincibles (11:00 and 14:30 BST), and London Spirit takes on Southern Brave (14:30 and 18:00 BST). Both games will feature double-headers.

Every game will have ball-by-ball radio commentary on BBC Sounds.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s future as Nottingham Forest manager is uncertain after a breakdown in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Sources have told BBC Sport that Nuno’s position is not completely safe despite last season’s achievement of qualifying for Europe, and their win over Brentford in the first round of matches in this season’s Premier League on Sunday.

The uncertainty, according to sources, has now stretched to the playing squad, who are said to be aware of the situation.

On Friday, 51-year-old Nuno said “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” amid rumours about his job.

The internal tensions are believed to centre around disagreements over the club’s transfer business.

Edu was appointed as Forest’s global head of football earlier this summer and has taken firm control over the club’s recruitment operation.

“I always had a very good relationship with the owner – last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis,” Nuno said.

“This season it is not so well [between us], but I always believe that dialogue is important because my concern is the squad and the season we have ahead of us. Our relationship has changed and we are not as close.”

When asked if it was good that his relationship with Marinakis had changed, Nuno said: “No, it is not good. I think everybody at the club should be together but this is not the reality.”

Forest have been active in the transfer market this summer, signing seven players – although they did sell winger Anthony Elanga to Newcastle for £55m.

But before last Sunday’s 3-1 win over Brentford, Nuno outlined his transfer concerns.

“We have doubts, who is going to be [here], when are they [new signings] going to come? All these things create doubts,” he said.

“Not only me but in the club. What we want is game-by-game to have as many options as possible. Europe will come after, and for sure it will be better, but for now until that happens it is a major concern.

“The owner is aware, the club is aware, everyone is aware. Everybody knows the reality. This is a lost chance that we had as a group to do it.”

Pressed further on rumours his future was in doubt, Nuno told BBC Radio Nottingham: “Nothing has been said to me. I’m just addressing [the rumours] because we are talking, and this is public – and when something is public, I think we should talk about it.

“How do I feel about it? I feel sorry. I think about the players, because today they were aware of things in the morning, and I could see it in their faces.

“But I react as I think I should – as I always have in my life – by facing things and doing the best I can until the very last moment.

“I appreciate the respect and the feelings the fans have towards me. Now that we are in Europe, I think the city’s alive. When I go out, I feel this love – and I just have to thank them.”

In May, Marinakis appeared to confront Nuno on the pitch after a 2-2 draw against Leicester at the City Ground.

Forest later said the incident was because of the owner’s frustration that striker Taiwo Awoniyi had continued to play following an 88th-minute injury, which subsequently required what was described as “urgent” surgery.

The club said there was “no confrontation” and it was “fake news” to suggest otherwise.

Nuno was appointed Forest manager in December 2023 and successfully steered the club away from relegation that campaign, despite a four-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules.

He then guided Forest to seventh in the Premier League last season – their highest finish since 1994-95 – as they qualified for Europe for the first time in three decades.

The former Wolves and Tottenham boss signed a new three-year contract in June, with Marinakis describing their relationship as “strong and solid”.

Forest were initially placed into the Conference League but moved up to the Europa League after Crystal Palace were demoted for breaching Uefa’s multi-club ownership rules.

Like Palace, Forest were also at risk of falling foul of Uefa’s multi-club ownership rules because Marinakis also controls Greek side Olympiakos.

In the European governing body’s rulebook, a club must prove they are not “simultaneously involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration, and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition”.

The 58-year-old Marinakis avoided any potential punishment by diluting his control of the Premier League side, a step which was announced in April, when there was the possibility of both teams qualifying for the Champions League.

Ultimately, there were no sanctions to avoid and no case to answer for Forest, because they fell short in their Champions League challenge and are therefore not in the same competition as Olympiakos.

In June, Marinakis effectively regained control and disbanded the blind trust he had set up to oversee club matters.

Nottingham Forest Fan writer Pat Riddell

When Nuno Espirito Santo said last week “we have a major problem”, it was assumed he was just taking the heat off the Nottingham Forest squad before Sunday’s Premier League opener against Brentford.

The delay from Uefa in confirming the Reds’ Europa League status was always going to impact the number and calibre of signings that would arrive at the City Ground, and the Morgan Gibbs-White saga certainly did not help in that respect.

But his comments appeared to just be a reality check in case Forest did not hit the ground running in the first few games of the season. Friday’s press conference sheds new light on his relationship with the owner Evangelos Marinakis – a relationship that sounds broken, possibly beyond repair.

We have been here before – many times, to be honest, and most recently with Steve Cooper. Rumours of a sacking circulated before he signed a new contract in October 2022, just days after a 4-0 defeat at Leicester City. And there were more rumours again towards the end of the 2022-23 season. The end, of course, did not come until December that year.

The fans’ reaction is going to be one of overwhelming shock and disappointment. While Cooper did the seemingly impossible and finally got us promoted, Nuno went one better and got us to the brink of the Champions League.

And, while it has only been one game, there was evidence against Brentford that Forest could dominate possession and take control of games – something we rarely saw during the last campaign.

This season was shaping up to be particularly exciting, with the club’s first European adventure in 30 years and the strongest squad we’ve seen at the City Ground in my lifetime.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s future as Nottingham Forest manager is uncertain after a breakdown in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Sources have told BBC Sport that Nuno’s position is not completely safe despite last season’s achievement of qualifying for Europe, and their win over Brentford in the first round of matches in this season’s Premier League on Sunday.

The uncertainty, according to sources, has now stretched to the playing squad, who are said to be aware of the situation.

On Friday, 51-year-old Nuno said “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” amid rumours about his job.

The internal tensions are believed to centre around disagreements over the club’s transfer business.

Edu was appointed as Forest’s global head of football earlier this summer and has taken firm control over the club’s recruitment operation.

“I always had a very good relationship with the owner – last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis,” Nuno said.

“This season it is not so well [between us], but I always believe that dialogue is important because my concern is the squad and the season we have ahead of us. Our relationship has changed and we are not as close.”

When asked if it was good that his relationship with Marinakis had changed, Nuno said: “No, it is not good. I think everybody at the club should be together but this is not the reality.”

Forest have been active in the transfer market this summer, signing seven players – although they did sell winger Anthony Elanga to Newcastle for £55m.

But before last Sunday’s 3-1 win over Brentford, Nuno outlined his transfer concerns.

“We have doubts, who is going to be [here], when are they [new signings] going to come? All these things create doubts,” he said.

“Not only me but in the club. What we want is game-by-game to have as many options as possible. Europe will come after, and for sure it will be better, but for now until that happens it is a major concern.

“The owner is aware, the club is aware, everyone is aware. Everybody knows the reality. This is a lost chance that we had as a group to do it.”

Pressed further on rumours his future was in doubt, Nuno told BBC Radio Nottingham: “Nothing has been said to me. I’m just addressing [the rumours] because we are talking, and this is public – and when something is public, I think we should talk about it.

“How do I feel about it? I feel sorry. I think about the players, because today they were aware of things in the morning, and I could see it in their faces.

“But I react as I think I should – as I always have in my life – by facing things and doing the best I can until the very last moment.

“I appreciate the respect and the feelings the fans have towards me. Now that we are in Europe, I think the city’s alive. When I go out, I feel this love – and I just have to thank them.”

In May, Marinakis appeared to confront Nuno on the pitch after a 2-2 draw against Leicester at the City Ground.

Forest later said the incident was because of the owner’s frustration that striker Taiwo Awoniyi had continued to play following an 88th-minute injury, which subsequently required what was described as “urgent” surgery.

The club said there was “no confrontation” and it was “fake news” to suggest otherwise.

Nuno was appointed Forest manager in December 2023 and successfully steered the club away from relegation that campaign, despite a four-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules.

He then guided Forest to seventh in the Premier League last season – their highest finish since 1994-95 – as they qualified for Europe for the first time in three decades.

The former Wolves and Tottenham boss signed a new three-year contract in June, with Marinakis describing their relationship as “strong and solid”.

Forest were initially placed into the Conference League but moved up to the Europa League after Crystal Palace were demoted for breaching Uefa’s multi-club ownership rules.

Like Palace, Forest were also at risk of falling foul of Uefa’s multi-club ownership rules because Marinakis also controls Greek side Olympiakos.

In the European governing body’s rulebook, a club must prove they are not “simultaneously involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration, and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition”.

The 58-year-old Marinakis avoided any potential punishment by diluting his control of the Premier League side, a step which was announced in April, when there was the possibility of both teams qualifying for the Champions League.

Ultimately, there were no sanctions to avoid and no case to answer for Forest, because they fell short in their Champions League challenge and are therefore not in the same competition as Olympiakos.

In June, Marinakis effectively regained control and disbanded the blind trust he had set up to oversee club matters.

Nottingham Forest Fan writer Pat Riddell

When Nuno Espirito Santo said last week “we have a major problem”, it was assumed he was just taking the heat off the Nottingham Forest squad before Sunday’s Premier League opener against Brentford.

The delay from Uefa in confirming the Reds’ Europa League status was always going to impact the number and calibre of signings that would arrive at the City Ground, and the Morgan Gibbs-White saga certainly did not help in that respect.

But his comments appeared to just be a reality check in case Forest did not hit the ground running in the first few games of the season. Friday’s press conference sheds new light on his relationship with the owner Evangelos Marinakis – a relationship that sounds broken, possibly beyond repair.

We have been here before – many times, to be honest, and most recently with Steve Cooper. Rumours of a sacking circulated before he signed a new contract in October 2022, just days after a 4-0 defeat at Leicester City. And there were more rumours again towards the end of the 2022-23 season. The end, of course, did not come until December that year.

The fans’ reaction is going to be one of overwhelming shock and disappointment. While Cooper did the seemingly impossible and finally got us promoted, Nuno went one better and got us to the brink of the Champions League.

And, while it has only been one game, there was evidence against Brentford that Forest could dominate possession and take control of games – something we rarely saw during the last campaign.

This season was shaping up to be particularly exciting, with the club’s first European adventure in 30 years and the strongest squad we’ve seen at the City Ground in my lifetime.

The Scottish Premiership fixture card may be reduced this weekend, but there’s plenty to look forward to as we approach round three.

Celtic and Hearts are the only teams on maximum points and Aberdeen are the sole side yet to get off the mark.

The Dons will have to wait to change that since they and Hibernian have chosen to postpone visits to Dundee United and Falkirk respectively to focus on their European play-offs.

Rangers have made a sticky start, drawing both Premiership games so far.

The boos that followed the recent 1-1 with Dundee at Ibrox were nothing compared to the loud disgruntlement expressed 20 minutes into their Champions League qualifier with Club Brugge on Tuesday as the Belgians raced into a 3-0 lead, eventually leaving Glasgow 3-1 winners.

Not since 1989 have Rangers gone without a victory in their first three league outings and head coach Russell Martin really needs to avoid another domestic slip with a visit from Celtic following the return leg in West Flanders.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s hosts St Mirren are looking to extend their unbeaten run against Rangers to four matches.

It was 2-2 when Rangers were last in Paisley in April and Stephen Robinson’s men struck late on Boxing Day for a 2-1 success.

In between, the Buddies celebrated their first win at Ibrox since 1991 to make it back-to-back victories over the Govan side for the first time since the 1979-80 season.

St Mirren are still waiting for a league goal this term, but spirits will be high after knocking Hearts out of the Premier Sports Cup on penalties. And they may fancy adding to their tally of six goals in three games against Rangers after League 1 Alloa Athletic struck twice at Ibrox in the same cup competition.

Martin is busy rebuilding a squad that picked up just eight Premiership wins on the road last season.

Stuart Findlay sits joint-top of the Premiership scoring charts, with three goals.

The central defender is just one away from his best return in the competition and could become the first player to net in each of his first three top-flight appearances for Hearts since Rudi Skacel in 2005-06.

He also nodded home six minutes into his Jambos debut in the League Cup against Hamilton Accies.

That cup run is now over, with St Mirren interrupting a run of six successive victories.

Derek McInnes will be anxious to get back on track at home to Motherwell, who have lost six of their past seven league visits to Tynecastle.

It’s fair to say more than a few Kilmarnock fans were unimpressed when Stuart Kettlewell was chosen to replace McInnes, but an unbeaten start may well have won over some doubters.

There’s a home tie against St Mirren to look forward to in the last eight of the Premier Sports Cup and Saturday’s game against Dundee at Rugby Park is an opportunity to keep up the feelgood factor.

Killie are unbeaten in their most recent six home league games against the Dark Blues (W3 D3).

New strikers Marcus Dackers and Djenairo Daniels are both off the mark, Ben Brannan is the breakthrough story of the campaign so far and David Watson is brimming with confidence as a first pick in midfield.

Both of Killie’s league matches have finished 2-2. A two-goal lead at home to Livingston evaporated after a red card, but any questions about the team’s resilience were answered at Easter Road when they hit back from 2-0 down.

Champions Celtic are at home to Livingston on Saturday and the West Lothian side have never won on any of their 21 visits in all competitions (D3 L18).