BBC Sport experts have chosen their favorite starting players for England’s first World Cup match against Croatia on June 17 in Dallas. They discussed different player options for each position and explained their choices based on current form and skills.
Key Facts
England’s opening World Cup game is on June 17 against Croatia at 21:00 BST in Dallas.
Former players like Micah Richards and Joe Hart shared their ideal starting lineup for England.
Jordan Pickford is the preferred goalkeeper pick by multiple pundits.
There is debate over defensive pairings, with choices including John Stones, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, and others.
Jude Bellingham is favored to start in the key number 10 midfield role due to his strong performances.
Attacking players considered include Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, and Morgan Rogers.
The pundits emphasize the strength and depth of the England squad and expect changes throughout the tournament.
Fans can also make their own starting lineup choices using an online team selector tool on the BBC Sport website.
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A rare sumo wrestling tournament has started in Paris, marking the first time in over 30 years that top Japanese sumo wrestlers have visited France. The event features around 150 participants who arrived on two specially arranged planes for this special weekend show.
Key Facts
The sumo tournament is taking place in Paris, France.
This is the first visit by elite sumo wrestlers to France in more than 30 years.
About 150 sumo wrestlers and related personnel are attending.
Two chartered planes were used to bring the delegation to Paris.
Sumo is Japan’s national and sacred sport.
The event is planned as a special weekend showcase.
The event received attention as a must-see cultural and sports occasion.
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The Astrodome in Houston opened in 1965 as the first enclosed, air-conditioned stadium with artificial grass for major league baseball. After the Houston Astros baseball team moved out in 1999, the city looked for new events to use the stadium.
Key Facts
The Astrodome opened in 1965 in Houston, Texas.
It was called the "Eighth Wonder of the World" because it was the first stadium with a roof and air conditioning.
The stadium featured artificial grass, known as "AstroTurf," for baseball games.
The Houston Astros baseball team played there until 1999.
After the Astros left, Houston held a celebration for the Astrodome’s history.
The city tried to attract other events like monster truck rallies, high-diving stunts, and chariot races to use the stadium.
This story was reported by Bill Geist on CBS News in 1999.
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The New York Knicks won the NBA championship for the first time since 1973. They defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games, with their final win being 94-90.
Key Facts
The Knicks are NBA champions after a 53-year gap.
They beat the San Antonio Spurs in the final series.
The series ended in five games.
The Knicks won the last game by a score of 94 to 90.
This was the Knicks' fourth comeback victory in the series.
The final game was played on a Saturday night.
The NBA is basketball’s main professional league in the United States.
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Lewis Hamilton won his first race driving for Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. He drove very well and managed the race in a controlled way to secure the victory.
Key Facts
Lewis Hamilton races for Ferrari.
He won the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
This is Hamilton’s first win with the Ferrari team.
The race was held at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit.
Hamilton’s drive was strong and steady throughout the race.
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Somali referee Omar Artan will receive full payment from FIFA for his work at the World Cup. This happens even though he was not allowed to enter the United States before the tournament started.
Key Facts
Omar Artan is a soccer referee from Somalia.
He was assigned to referee at the World Cup.
He was denied entry into the United States before the World Cup began.
Despite this, FIFA will pay him fully for his match duties.
This information comes from sources cited by ESPN.
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Three basketball teams—the Spurs, Thunder, and Celtics—are considered more likely to win the 2027 NBA championship than the New York Knicks. This ranking is based on the odds given by various sportsbooks across the country.
Key Facts
The Spurs, Thunder, and Celtics have better chances than the Knicks to win the 2027 NBA title.
Sportsbooks are businesses that accept bets on sports events.
These odds show how likely each team is to become champions in 2027.
The Knicks are behind these three teams in the betting rankings.
The information comes from sportsbooks nationwide.
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President Donald Trump congratulated the New York Knicks for winning their first NBA Championship in more than 50 years. He specifically mentioned Jim Dolan, the Knicks' owner and CEO of Madison Square Garden Sports.
Key Facts
The New York Knicks won the NBA Championship for the first time in over 50 years.
President Trump offered congratulations on Truth Social, his social media platform.
He mentioned Jim Dolan, the Knicks’ owner and CEO of Madison Square Garden Sports.
The congratulatory message was shared early Sunday.
The Knicks’ championship win is a significant event for the team and their fans.
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As the World Cup begins, experts warn that workers supporting the event could face serious heat dangers due to high temperatures in many host cities. These hot conditions increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for those doing physical labor or working outdoors for long periods.
Key Facts
The World Cup games are held in 16 cities across the US, including hot southern cities like Miami, Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta.
Temperatures at game times could reach 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Many workers, such as delivery people, security staff, and concession sellers, will be exposed to dangerous heat.
Heat is the deadliest form of extreme weather and has caused injuries and deaths at past World Cups.
Some stadiums, including those in Miami and New York, do not have air conditioning, increasing risks.
Carrying heavy loads or wearing costumes can raise the chance of heat illness.
Experts recommend protections like mandatory breaks, shade, and water access to keep workers safe.
FIFA says it coordinates with local authorities to manage safety but does not control employment conditions directly.
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The United States men's soccer team won 4-1 against Paraguay, showing strong teamwork and smart play in midfield. New players and tactics have helped improve the team since the last World Cup, making them more effective and fun to watch.
Key Facts
The USA defeated Paraguay 4-1 in a recent soccer match.
Midfield players Malik Tillman and Weston McKennie helped control the game by moving well without the ball.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino has updated the team’s strategy, improving player roles since the 2022 World Cup.
The US team used different midfield players than before, replacing Yunus Musah with others like Johnny Cardoso and Sebastian Berhalter.
Defender Chris Richards has become an important player for both the US team and his club, Crystal Palace.
Richards set a World Cup record by completing 83 passes with 100% accuracy in the match against Paraguay.
The US team's improved midfield helps them create more chances and avoid being easily blocked by opponents.
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New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn said the team wanted to add bigger, stronger players to improve their performance. He believes having larger players will help the team compete better in games.
Key Facts
Aaron Glenn is the coach of the New York Jets football team.
He said the team aimed to add players with more size and strength.
The goal is to make the team better and more competitive.
Glenn thinks size is important in football for success.
The Jets are adjusting their player selections based on this approach.
The article focuses on the team's strategy concerning player physical traits.
This is part of the team's plan to improve their game results.
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The Cleveland Browns are deciding who will be their starting quarterback between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. The team is also working on how their wide receivers fit into their offense.
Key Facts
The Browns have two main quarterbacks competing for the starting job: Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson.
The competition for quarterback is one of the top storylines for the team.
The team is evaluating how the wide receivers fit into their game plan.
The Browns are preparing for the upcoming season with these key decisions.
The final choices will affect how the team performs on offense.
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Somali referee Omar Artan was not allowed into the United States to referee at the World Cup because of concerns raised by US immigration. Although he could not take part in the tournament, FIFA will still pay him his full referee fee.
Key Facts
Omar Artan is a Somali football referee who has been a FIFA referee since 2018.
He was denied entry to the US at Miami International Airport due to questions about his links to suspected terror group members.
Artan was questioned for 11 hours before being sent back to Somalia via Turkey.
Despite not participating in the World Cup, FIFA promised to pay him the full referee fee for the tournament.
Artan was named Confederation of African Football (CAF) men's referee of the year in 2025.
He officiated major matches including the African Champions League final, U-20 World Cup in Chile, and Africa Cup of Nations.
Artan plans to referee at the 2030 World Cup.
He has been invited to referee the UEFA Super Cup match in August 2026 in Austria.
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President Donald Trump hosted the UFC's Freedom 250 event at the White House South Lawn to celebrate America's founding. The main fight featured Ilia Topuria, a Georgian-Spanish fighter, against American Justin Gaethje, highlighting the global nature of the sport despite its strong American fan base.
Key Facts
The UFC event took place at the White House to mark the nation’s founding anniversary.
Ilia Topuria, born in Germany to Georgian parents and raised in Spain, was favored to win against American Justin Gaethje.
UFC is a sport originally from the United States but now includes fighters and champions from many countries worldwide.
Most current UFC champions are from outside the U.S.; only two of 11 titleholders are American.
The UFC has built a global training and development system with facilities in Las Vegas, Shanghai, and Mexico City.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) combines different fighting styles from around the world, making the sport inherently global.
The UFC’s global system promotes fighters based on skill and access rather than nationality.
This event symbolizes globalization’s influence on a sport popular with a largely American, often populist, audience.
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Curacao, a small Caribbean island with a Dutch influence and a population of 158,000, will become the smallest nation ever to play in a FIFA World Cup. Most of the team’s players were born in the Netherlands, and they face tough opponents like Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast in Group E.
Key Facts
Curacao is smaller than the Isle of Man and has a population below 160,000.
The island is not fully independent but is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Only one player on the World Cup team was born on Curacao; the rest were born in the Netherlands.
Many players have Dutch youth or senior national team experience.
The team has improved by recruiting Dutch-born players and hiring well-known Dutch coaches since 2015.
Curacao will play Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast in the World Cup Group E stage.
The team’s coach, Dick Advocaat, will be the oldest manager in World Cup history at 78.
Thousands of fans are expected to travel from Curacao to support the team in Houston.
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Cabo Verde is seen as a surprising and enjoyable team to support in the World Cup. They are considered an underdog, meaning they are less likely to win but have captured attention and support.
Key Facts
Cabo Verde is participating in the World Cup.
The team is viewed as an underdog in the tournament.
Fans are encouraged to cheer for them during the games.
Cabo Verde’s presence in the World Cup is notable and unexpected.
The article highlights the excitement around their participation.
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On the fourth day of the FIFA World Cup 2026, key matches include the Netherlands vs Japan and Curacao’s first-ever World Cup game against Germany. The Netherlands, three-time runners-up, face a strong Japanese team, while other matches feature Ecuador vs Ivory Coast and Sweden vs Tunisia.
Key Facts
The Netherlands vs Japan game is a major group match in Group F.
Japan defeated Germany and Spain in the last World Cup group stage in 2022.
Curacao is the smallest country to play at the World Cup; they face Germany.
Ecuador and Ivory Coast play, with Ecuador considered a strong contender.
Sweden returns after missing the previous World Cup and plays Tunisia.
The Netherlands has several well-known players like Virgil van Dijk and Memphis Depay.
Japan’s captain Wataru Endo is absent, but players like Ayase Ueda are key.
Predictions give the Netherlands about a 50% chance to win against Japan.
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The New York Knicks won the NBA championship. The article explains how the Knicks built a strong team and what their victory means for both the Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.
Key Facts
The Knicks became NBA champions.
The article details the team's steps to build a winning roster.
The outcome of the Finals affects both the Knicks and the Spurs.
The Spurs were the other team competing in the Finals.
The Knicks’ success marks a major achievement for the team.
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The New York Knicks won the NBA championship for the first time in 53 years, beating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the finals. This big basketball victory captured the attention of New Yorkers, overshadowing the nearby FIFA World Cup games being co-hosted by the city.
Key Facts
The Knicks won their first NBA title since 1970.
The final series ended with a 4-1 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Thousands of fans gathered at Madison Square Garden and nearby bars to celebrate.
New York is also co-hosting the FIFA World Cup, but many locals focused more on the Knicks win.
The mayor announced a ticker tape parade for the Knicks on Thursday.
City buildings will be lit up in the Knicks’ colors, blue and orange, to celebrate.
Fans expressed strong emotions after years of disappointment with the team.
The Knicks victory prevented a scheduling conflict with the World Cup matches in New York.
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