The Guardian

Two penalty shootout triumphs in the playoffs sent the Czechs to a first World Cup in 20 years and an experienced side look capable of progress This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the …

Gauff was filmed letting off steam in private area French Open champion begins defence with 6-4, 6-0 win Coco Gauff said she did not receive an apology or response from the Australian Open after she was broadcast letting off steam by breaking a racket in a private area after her quarter-final loss in January. “I mean, I didn’t get anything from my email that I know of,” Gauff said, smiling. “I kn…

Palace were demoted to Conference League by Uefa Wednesday night’s final in Leipzig is Glasner’s last game Oliver Glasner has urged Crystal Palace to win the Conference League final so they can take up the Europa League place denied them this season after they fell foul of Uefa’s multi-club ownership rules. Last year’s FA Cup winners were demoted to the Conference League after Uefa deemed John Te…

Two-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves club after 14 years London City one of many clubs interested in midfielder Barcelona have announced the exit of their talismanic captain, Alèxia Putellas, after the expiration of the two-time Ballon d’Or winner’s contract at the end of the season. The 32-year-old, who was born in Mollet del Vallès, just north of Barcelona, spent 14 years at the Catalan club maki…

Squad same as one revealed in Guardian exclusive Spine of team from 2022 World Cup remains US opener is 12 June in Inglewood, California In pictures: player-by-player guide to the roster The United States’ 26-man squad for this summer’s World Cup has been made official, with the team’s head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, making the announcement in a live television event from Pier 17 in Manhattan on…

While the event’s movers and shakers are rich and smart, they don’t come across as caring deeply about sport I woke up in Las Vegas on Monday to an avalanche of messages from people across elite sport asking about the Enhanced Games. Some wanted to know what it was really like. Most, though, wanted to dance on its grave. So much for the organisers’ promises that we would witness multiple world re…

‘Not the version of Phil Foden we saw two years ago’ Chief executive says game being damaged by demands Phil Foden and Cole Palmer missed out on this summer’s World Cup because they have been overworked, according to the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association. Maheta Molango was speaking as new data showed that seven of the 10 players involved in the most games across Europe…

Who was the best player, and why is it not Harry Kane? Which loanee is already a superstar? And who bottled it? A hearty pat on the back to Hoffenheim, the unexpected and unfancied top-four gatecrashers who ultimately couldn’t quite hold on. This season has been all about Bayern, though, and not just in the normal they-always-win-it way. To call them the most beloved Bayern team in a generation w…

Justices refuse to intervene, clearing way for open trial League had wanted case handled through arbitration Former Dolphins coach sued NFL, three teams in 2022 The US supreme court on Tuesday refused to intervene in a discrimination lawsuit led by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores against the NFL, allowing the case to proceed toward trial. The justices rebuffed an appeal from the lea…

Home hopeful is youngest man to win in Paris since 1991 Medvedev loses in five sets; Norrie out injured The real surprise here was that it took so long to come. Moïse Kouamé had expertly handled his nerves and high expectations to begin his first French Open main draw match on the front foot, he had demonstrated his enormous promise by playing so well, and he had paired his form with total self-a…

We picked Liverpool as champions, Chelsea as challengers and tipped Brentford and Sunderland to go down. Oh dear What we predicted: Mikel Arteta vowed this would be a “big summer” after finishing as runners-up in the Premier League for a third season in succession and the new sporting director, Andrea Berta, has delivered on a number of signings in his first transfer window. The question now for …

Italian’s reputation was bruised at Ajax but he has turned Porto back into title winners and is one of Europe’s most sought-after coaches again After Francesco Farioli surrendered a nine-point lead in his final five matches at Ajax, he felt the word “loser” had been stamped across his forehead. Clubs that had pursued him quietly stepped back and his rise abruptly stalled. Now, after an impressive…

Faye Carruthers is joined by Sophie Downey , Emma Sanders and Ayisha Gulati to reflect on Bunny Shaw staying at Manchester City and Barcelona’s dominant Champions League final. Plus, Lucia Lobato joins to discuss Charlton’s dramatic promotion to the WSL On today’s pod: Charlton Athletic are heading to the WSL after a dramatic playoff final victory over Leicester City . The panel discuss the game …

Dane collects fourth stage victory of this year’s race Gall comes in second, with Hindley in third place Jonas Vingegaard underlined his dominance on uphill finishes at the Giro d’Italia, launching a solo attack on the climb to Carì to claim victory on stage 16. It was the Dane’s fourth stage win of the race and further tightened his hold on the leader’s jersey, with overall honours now looking i…

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! After spending the best part of 30 years letting their own fans down, Everton chose Sunday afternoon to disappoint fans of almost every other Premier League team. David Moyes had one big chance to end a season that promised so much but ultimately fizzled out into nothingness on a high! Instead, while Leeds were holding up their end of the quid p…