Global Pulse

分类： sports

  • Mbappe, Dembele head up France squad for 2026 World Cup

    Mbappe, Dembele head up France squad for 2026 World Cup

    As football fans across the globe gear up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, France head coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed his 26-man squad for the tournament, marking his final major international selection before stepping away from the role. The four-time World Cup winning manager’s roster holds few surprises, built around tactical cohesion rather than simply picking the 26 highest-rated individual players, he explained.

    Kylian Mbappe, the team’s star captain-elect, will lead Les Bleus into the tournament despite sustaining a thigh injury last month that forced him to sit out critical late-season fixtures for Real Madrid in La Liga. The 27-year-old frontman will spearhead one of the most exciting attacking lines in the competition, joined by reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Paris Saint-Germain’s rising star Desire Doue, and Bayern Munich dynamic winger Michael Olise. 22-year-old playmaker Rayan Cherki, who turned in a standout debut season at Manchester City in the Premier League, will make his first World Cup appearance for France.

    In defense, Arsenal’s William Saliba, who has cemented his status as one of the league’s top center-backs, will bring solidity to the French backline, widely expected to line up alongside Bayern Munich and Bundesliga champion Dayot Upamecano in the heart of defense. Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate and Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix have also earned selection to Deschamps’ defensive cohort.

    Only four players – Mbappe, Dembele, full-back Lucas Hernandez and midfielder N’Golo Kante – remain from Deschamps’ 2018 World Cup-winning squad that lifted the trophy in Russia. Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser is the only uncapped player called up to this year’s roster.

    Several high-profile players have missed out on selection, headlined by Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper Lucas Chevalier. Deschamps acknowledged Camavinga’s likely disappointment, noting the midfielder struggled through an injury-hit season with limited minutes at club level. Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike was also forced to rule out of contention after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in April.

    Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Deschamps reflected on his 14-year tenure in charge of the French national team, ahead of his seventh and final major tournament as head coach. “It’s been part of my life for 14 years running. But if people are worried, I’m not retiring. I’ll have a life of my own. The World Cup is the most important thing,” he said.

    France will kick off their Group I campaign against Senegal on June 16, before facing off against Iraq and Norway to close out the group stage. The full squad is as follows:

    **Goalkeepers**: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes)
    **Defenders**: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
    **Midfielders**: N’Golo Kante (Fenerbahce), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
    **Forwards**: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)

  • Deschamps unveils France’s star-studded World Cup squad and hands Robin Risser surprise call-up

    Deschamps unveils France’s star-studded World Cup squad and hands Robin Risser surprise call-up

    France national team manager Didier Deschamps has officially named his 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, headlined by a wealth of elite attacking talent and a surprise maiden call-up for breakout Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser, who has capped a breakthrough domestic season with a spot in the world’s most prestigious international tournament.

    The 26-year-old Risser has been one of the standout revelations of the recent Ligue 1 campaign, cementing his place as one of the top shot-stoppers in France’s top flight. Earlier this week, he was honored with the Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Season award for his key role in helping Lens secure the league’s second-best defensive record. He will join the squad as the third-choice goalkeeper behind starter Mike Maignan and backup Brice Samba. Speaking to French broadcaster TF1 following the announcement, Risser expressed overwhelming emotion at his selection. “I’m full of pride, it’s something incredible,” he said. “I can’t find the words. It’s just extraordinary. It was one of my dreams.”

    Heading into the June 11 to July 19 tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, France enters as one of the pre-tournament favorites, targeting a third men’s World Cup title to add to their 1998 and 2018 honors. Drawn in Group I, Les Bleus will kick off their campaign against Group stage opponents Senegal, Iraq and Norway.

    Deschamps’ squad boasts one of the most dangerous attacking corps in the tournament, led by global superstar Kylian Mbappé and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé. The talented forward group also includes exciting young prospects Désiré Doué, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche. Notably, Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta earned a spot in the final 26, beating out 2022 World Cup semi-final hero Randal Kolo Muani, who made a last-minute addition to France’s squad in Qatar four years ago and nearly secured legendary status after hitting a late match chance in the final against Argentina, which France lost on penalties.

    Several high-profile players missed out on selection, including Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. Chevalier has been unable to secure regular first-team minutes since losing his starting spot to new signing Matvey Safonov at the club, and has not featured in competitive action since late January. Explaining his selection criteria, Deschamps emphasized current form and playing time as the deciding factors. “The main criteria is sporting performance,” Deschamps said. “I understand that Lucas Chevalier may be disappointed, but he hasn’t played for several months anymore. At the time when he could have had some playing time, he didn’t get any.” Lens winger Florian Thauvin, who was nominated for Ligue 1 Player of the Season this year, also missed out on a call-up.

    This World Cup will mark the final tournament for Deschamps, who took charge of Les Bleus in 2012 and led the side to the 2018 World Cup title and a runner-up finish in 2022. He confirmed earlier this year that he would step down from his role following the 2026 tournament. “It’s a special feeling. I did many things today for the last time,” he said. “The most important thing is today and tomorrow. We are focused on the World Cup.”

    Former French World Cup-winning captain Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to take over the national team role following Deschamps’ departure. Zidane has not held a senior coaching position since concluding his second successful spell at the helm of Real Madrid, where he led the Spanish giants to three UEFA Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns.

    Full France 2026 World Cup Squad:
    – Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser
    – Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Théo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano
    – Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouaméni, Warren Zaire-Emery
    – Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram

  • Carlo Ancelotti extends contract with Brazil’s national team until 2030 World Cup

    Carlo Ancelotti extends contract with Brazil’s national team until 2030 World Cup

    SAO PAULO – Just days before unveiling his final roster for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, legendary Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti has made a major announcement: he will remain at the helm of the Brazilian men’s national football team through the 2030 World Cup, extending his original agreement by four additional years. The 66-year-old, who stepped into the head coach role in May 2025, confirmed the long-term extension in an official video shared Thursday by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), a move he had publicly teased as a probable outcome in recent weeks.

  • Kerr to leave Chelsea at end of season

    Kerr to leave Chelsea at end of season

    One of women’s football’s most iconic forwards, Sam Kerr, will bring her record-breaking tenure at Chelsea Women to a close when her current contract expires at the end of this summer. The 32-year-old Australian, who sits atop Chelsea Women’s all-time Women’s Super League (WSL) goalscoring charts, will make her final appearance for the Blues in a home fixture against Manchester United this coming Saturday.

    Since joining Chelsea from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in November 2019 in what was then the most expensive transfer ever completed by an English women’s club, Kerr has cemented her legacy as one of the greatest players to ever step onto the Stamford Bridge pitch. Across 157 appearances in all competitions for the club, she has found the back of the net 115 times, and sits just one goal away from matching Fran Kirby’s all-time club record of 116 total goals heading into her farewell match. Her 64th WSL goal against Leicester City earlier this season secured her position as the league’s all-time top goalscorer for Chelsea, a new historic milestone.

    Kerr’s time at the club has been defined by unprecedented success. Over six years, she helped Chelsea lift 11 major trophies: five WSL titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups, and one Community Shield. Individually, her achievements are equally impressive: she earned two WSL Golden Boots, won the 2022 WSL Player of the Season award, and claimed back-to-back PFA Fans’ Player of the Year honors in 2021 and 2022. Renowned for her acrobatic backflip goal celebrations, Kerr scored countless decisive goals in high-stakes matches, from FA Cup finals to Champions League knockout fixtures, forming a devastating attacking partnership with Fran Kirby that powered Chelsea’s six-year dominance of the WSL under former manager Emma Hayes.

    Kerr’s recent career has been marked by remarkable resilience. In January 2024, she suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a Chelsea training camp, which kept her sidelined for nearly 17 months. After signing a two-year contract extension in June 2024, she made a fairytale return to action in September 2025, 637 days after her injury, marking her comeback with a goal in a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa. She has gone on to score 16 goals in 29 appearances across the current season, with six goals in her most recent six matches in all competitions, proving she still retains the world-class finishing ability that made her a global star.

    In a reflective statement on her upcoming final match, Kerr expressed gratitude for her time at the club. “When I reflect on my Chelsea career and doing it for the last time [against Manchester United this Saturday], I just feel happy,” she said. “Happy that it happened, and I feel so grateful to have played for this club for six years and won as many trophies as we could.”

    Chelsea’s official statement paid tribute to the striker’s transformative impact on the club, both on and off the pitch. “We thank Sam for her incredible contribution to our success on the pitch and sustained growth off it,” a club spokesperson said. “We wish her all the best in the next chapter of her career.”

    While Kerr’s departure leaves an irreplaceable void in Chelsea’s attacking line, current manager Sonia Bompastor has already confirmed that signing a new starting number nine is a top summer transfer priority. Manchester City’s star striker Khadija Shaw, the WSL’s current top goalscorer, is reportedly at the top of the club’s shortlist, though any new signing will face enormous pressure to match Kerr’s legacy of consistent goals and titles.

    As for Kerr’s own next chapter, details remain unconfirmed. Sources close to the player have indicated a return to the NWSL in the United States is the most likely outcome, though a recent report from Australian broadcaster 10 News claiming Kerr had already agreed a deal to join Denver Summit was quickly dismissed by the striker on social media. All eyes will now be on Stamford Bridge this Saturday, as fans turn out to say goodbye to one of the most influential players in Chelsea Women’s history.

  • African fans face World Cup issues despite visa bond U-turn

    African fans face World Cup issues despite visa bond U-turn

    As the 2026 FIFA World Cup prepares to welcome a historic 10 African national teams to the tri-nation tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, a last-minute policy adjustment from the Trump administration has offered only limited relief to traveling supporters, leaving a host of costly and bureaucratic barriers still in place for fans from the continent.

    In a confirmation issued late Wednesday, the White House announced it would waive the mandatory visa bond requirement for ticket-holding fans from five African countries – Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia – that were included in a broader 2025 immigration rule. The policy, which imposes bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 on visitors from 50 nations, was crafted to curb visa overstays as part of the administration’s wider immigration crackdown. For fans who meet the exemption criteria, the change eliminates a potential $15,000 financial burden ahead of their trip.

    “We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets,” U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar confirmed in a statement shared with BBC Sport Africa. However, the exemption comes with a critical caveat: only supporters who registered their valid match tickets through FIFA’s online FIFA Pass system by the 15 April cutoff date qualify for the waived bond. The FIFA Pass system, launched last November, was originally designed to help ticket holders secure expedited visa appointment processing.

    FIFA welcomed the policy shift in an official statement, framing it as proof of the governing body’s productive collaboration with the Trump administration “to deliver a successful, record-breaking and unforgettable global event.” But for thousands of African fans hoping to attend the tournament, the announcement has come too late to remove obstacles to their travel.

    It remains unclear whether fans from the five affected countries who purchase last-minute match tickets after the registration deadline will still be required to pay the full visa bond. Worse, persistent travel restrictions remain in place for supporters from Ivory Coast and Senegal under the administration’s ongoing entry ban: any fan from these two nations who did not secure a valid U.S. visitor visa before December 2025 will be automatically barred from entering the country for the tournament.

    The partial exemption also does nothing to resolve widespread visa challenges for fans from other African qualified nations. BBC Sport Africa has confirmed that multiple Ghanaian supporters, whose team will play group stage matches in Boston and Philadelphia, have already been denied U.S. entry visas, despite not being subject to the visa bond requirement.

    Beyond visa hurdles, African fans face a cascade of additional financial and logistical challenges that put in-person attendance out of reach for many. The 2026 tournament is spread across three North American countries, requiring most fans to cross multiple international borders just to attend their team’s group stage matches. Only Algeria, Cape Verde and Morocco will play all their group stage games exclusively on U.S. soil. Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegal all have group stage fixtures in Canada, requiring additional Canadian entry visas, while DR Congo, South Africa and Tunisia will play at least one match in Mexico, bringing another set of entry requirements.

    Ticket costs have also reached prohibitive levels for most casual supporters from the continent. As of mid-January, the only tickets available under $1,170 for any of the first 10 matches featuring African teams were $600 seats for Egypt’s group stage fixture against Belgium, listed on FIFA’s official ticketing portal. Remaining tickets for the tournament’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa are listed for $3,840 apiece on the primary market, while FIFA’s official resale platform has seen even more extreme inflation: two category three upper-tier seats for the Mexico City opener are being resold for a staggering $34,500 per ticket.

    On top of steep ticket prices, transcontinental flights, cross-border transit and accommodation across North America carry far higher price tags than most African fans can afford. Adding another layer of uncertainty, the U.S. government late last year expanded entry requirements to demand five years of social media history from most tourists applying for visitor visas, a policy change that rights groups warn opens the door to racial profiling, arbitrary entry denials, heightened surveillance and increased risk of arrest for traveling supporters.

    With 78 of the tournament’s 104 total matches set to be held on U.S. soil, the Trump administration’s partial climb-down on visa bonds marks a small win for African fans, but it does little to address the sweeping barriers that will keep most supporters from the continent from cheering on their nations in person this summer.

  • Springboks’ Ntlabakanye given 18-month doping ban

    Springboks’ Ntlabakanye given 18-month doping ban

    South African international rugby prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who features for the Johannesburg-based Lions franchise, has received an 18-month competition ban after being found in violation of global anti-doping regulations. The sanction will effectively exclude the 27-year-old front-rower from competing at the 2027 Rugby World Cup hosted in Australia.

    The case dates back to a routine out-of-competition test conducted in 2025, where Ntlabakanye returned a positive result for Anastrozole, a classified hormone and metabolic modulator. While a positive test for this substance alone does not trigger an automatic mandatory suspension under current anti-doping frameworks, the prop further complicated his case when he voluntarily admitted to also using Dehydroepiandrosterone, more commonly known as DHEA.

    According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), DHEA is categorized as a banned substance because it works to naturally boost the body’s testosterone production. Elevated testosterone levels accelerate muscle recovery and growth, which can deliver an unfair competitive advantage to athletes who use the compound. Court documents confirm Ntlabakanye told investigators he was unaware DHEA was prohibited, believing it was a permitted supplement.

    Following formal charges brought by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS), an independent anti-doping tribunal reviewed the evidence and handed down the 18-month suspension. The ban officially entered into force on 13 May 2025, and is scheduled to end in November 2026 – which falls after the conclusion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Ntlabakanye retains the right to launch an appeal against the ruling within a 21-day window from the announcement of the decision.

    In an official statement confirming the sanction, the Lions Rugby Company acknowledged that SAIDS had notified the club of the anti-doping rule violation. The franchise added that it would stand by the player throughout the remainder of the process, saying: “During this time, the Lions Rugby Company will continue to support Ntlabakanye as he navigates the process ahead.”

    Ntlabakanye earned his first senior international cap for the Springboks against Italy in July 2025, and went on to feature in two more test matches for the world-famous national side, bringing his total senior South Africa caps to three before the ban was announced. His final outing for the Lions came just last Saturday, where the Johannesburg side fell to defeat against Irish giants Leinster in the United Rugby Championship.

  • Israeli minister criticizes Barcelona star Lamine Yamal for waving Palestinian flag

    Israeli minister criticizes Barcelona star Lamine Yamal for waving Palestinian flag

    In the wake of FC Barcelona’s 2025 La Liga title victory, a celebratory parade through the streets of the Catalan capital has sparked international controversy, after 18-year-old star winger Lamine Yamal displayed a large Palestinian flag during the open-top bus procession.

    Local officials estimated that close to 750,000 fans turned out to line Barcelona’s streets on Monday, just 24 hours after the club secured its latest domestic league crown. Yamal, a rising Muslim football talent who is set to represent Spain at the upcoming men’s FIFA World Cup in North America, later shared images of himself holding the flag to his public Instagram account, where he boasts millions of followers worldwide.

    The incident quickly drew sharp rebuke from Israel’s top defense official. On Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz took to social media platform X to denounce Yamal’s action, framing it as a deliberate act of hate incitement amid ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. “Lamine Yamal chose to incite hate against Israel while our soldiers combat the terrorist organization Hamas, an organization that massacred, raped and burned Jewish children, women and the elderly on Oct. 7, 2023,” Katz wrote.

    Yamal’s gesture comes amid longstanding, widespread criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza across Spanish society and politics. Since Hamas’ October 2023 cross-border attack that triggered the conflict, Israeli military operations have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, leading to broad condemnation from the Spanish government and general public. Spain is also one of five nations that have announced a boycott of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in protest of Israel’s participation in the annual competition.

    The Gaza conflict has increasingly spilled over into global sports and cultural spaces, with growing public backlash against Israel’s military campaign driving high-profile protests across multiple disciplines. Last year’s Vuelta a España, one of cycling’s three Grand Tour races, faced repeated disruptions from demonstrators objecting to the inclusion of an Israeli-backed team. Football, basketball and other major sports have also seen public acts of protest from athletes echoing widespread global calls for a ceasefire and an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

  • Madonna, Shakira & BTS to headline World Cup half-time show

    Madonna, Shakira & BTS to headline World Cup half-time show

    In a groundbreaking announcement that has sent shockwaves through both the sports and entertainment worlds, three of the biggest names in global music — pop icon Madonna, Colombian superstar Shakira and K-pop phenomenon BTS — have been confirmed as co-headliners for the first-ever half-time show at a men’s FIFA World Cup final. The 2026 tournament, a historic first co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will wrap up its month-long competition with the final match at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on 19 July, where the 11-minute star-studded performance will take place.

    This production marks a major shift in how FIFA approaches entertainment at its flagship event. While pre-match musical performances have long been standard at high-profile football showpieces including the UEFA Champions League final, this will be the first time a dedicated half-time spectacle, modeled after the iconic Super Bowl halftime tradition, has been staged for the World Cup final. The show was curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, and all proceeds from the event will go toward the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative with a goal of raising $100 million to expand educational access for children across the globe.

    Shakira, no stranger to the World Cup stage, is set to release her official 2026 World Cup anthem *Dai Dai* this Thursday. The track, which features Afrobeats star Burna Boy, takes its name from an Italian phrase meaning “let’s go” or “come on.” This is not the 49-year-old singer’s first World Cup collaboration: she delivered the global hit Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) as the official song for the 2010 World Cup hosted in South Africa, which remains one of the best-selling World Cup anthems of all time.

    Known worldwide as the Queen of Pop, 67-year-old Madonna holds the title of the best-selling female recording artist in history, and she is gearing up to drop her 15th studio album, *Confessions II*, just two weeks before the final on 3 July. The iconic performer made headlines earlier this year with a surprise guest appearance at the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where she joined headliner Sabrina Carpenter for energetic renditions of her classic hits *Vogue* and *Like A Prayer*.

    For BTS, the performance comes in the middle of the group’s highly anticipated global comeback. The seven-member boy band, which holds the title of South Korea’s best-selling musical act of all time with over 45 million albums sold worldwide, is returning to full group activities after a three-year hiatus, during which members completed their mandatory South Korean military service. At the time of the World Cup final performance, the group will be in the middle of a massive 85-date world tour. The group previously earned a UK top three hit in 2021 with their Coldplay collaboration *My Universe*.

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino previously framed the event as a milestone for the tournament back in March, saying the half-time show “will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup, befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.” The unprecedented pairing of three global superstars from different genres and regions reflects the 2026 tournament’s status as the most expansive and widely accessible World Cup in history, marking a new era of blending elite sport and world-class entertainment for the global football community.

  • AFL 2026: Essendon coach Brad Scott on Ben McKay form, Zach Merrett commitment

    AFL 2026: Essendon coach Brad Scott on Ben McKay form, Zach Merrett commitment

    AFL side Essendon’s senior coach Brad Scott has opened up about the team’s recent selection calls, revealing that dropping underperforming key defender Ben McKay to the reserves has yielded exactly the positive results the coaching staff was hoping for, while stopping short of locking in an immediate return to the senior squad.

    McKay was a notable exclusion from the Essendon lineup that faced GWS last Saturday, a match the Bombers ended up losing by a narrow margin. The omission marked the 26-year-old’s first appearance in the state-level Victorian Football League (VFL) in seven years, coming after a prolonged stretch of underwhelming form in the team’s defensive line. The defender’s struggles were thrust into the public spotlight recently when a leaked opposition scouting whiteboard from the Brisbane Lions notably had no entry listed under McKay’s strengths.

    Speaking to media ahead of this weekend’s round of matches, Scott explained that the decision to send McKay to the VFL was designed to take pressure off the out-of-form player, and the early results have been encouraging. “We felt it was best for Ben to go back and regain some form and belief in the VFL, and he played very well,” Scott said. “This just released the shackles for him and freed him up to go and do what he does best, focus on his strengths, and he’s handled that very well.”

    Beyond his own solid performance, Scott added that McKay also stepped into a leadership role for younger developing players during his VFL run, marking a clear positive step forward in his recovery of form. With key players Nick Bryan and Mason Redman returning from injury to boost the Bombers’ selection flexibility, Scott said the club would now weigh what outcome would work best for both McKay and the senior squad. While McKay has made clear his eagerness to earn an immediate recall to the AFL side, Scott noted no final decision has been made. “He wants to get back into the senior team as soon as possible, and, as we always do and as every team does, we’ll do what’s best for him and the team,” Scott added.

    The Essendon coach also addressed ongoing off-season speculation surrounding star midfielder Zach Merrett, whose attempted trade to Hawthorn fell through during last year’s trade period. Merrett drew fresh attention last week when he declined to publicly confirm his long-term commitment to the club, but Scott moved quickly to shut down any uncertainty around the 28-year-old’s future.

    Scott, who speaks to Merrett on a daily basis, reaffirmed that the midfielder remains fully committed to seeing out his existing contract at Essendon. Merrett signed a four-year contract extension with the Bombers four years ago, leaving him with two full seasons remaining on his current deal. “I’m more focused on action and he’s delivered in spades in terms of what I knew he would this year, right from the start of pre-season, right through to now,” Scott said. “He’s fully invested in trying to make this team as good as it can possibly be, and we’re focused on right now and what we need him to do for the team. The commitment is really clear.”

  • New Zealand Cricket coaches have spent the week learning Hawthorn, Victoria high performance

    New Zealand Cricket coaches have spent the week learning Hawthorn, Victoria high performance

    In a groundbreaking example of cross-sport knowledge sharing, an eight-person high-performance delegation from New Zealand Cricket has spent an entire week embedded within Victoria’s elite Australian Rules football and cricket systems, capping off the study tour with an in-depth deep dive into one of the AFL’s most modern training hubs.

    Led by two of New Zealand cricket’s most respected figures — former Black Caps head coach Gary Stead and current national high-performance director Dave Keelty — the group kicked off their visit this week with a stop at Cricket Victoria’s renowned Junction Oval, before shifting focus to Hawthorn Football Club’s cutting-edge Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley for multiple days of immersive learning.

    Stead, who stepped down as New Zealand’s men’s national cricket coach last year on a historic high, is now working as a high-performance strategy consultant after a decorated tenure that included leading the Black Caps to the inaugural ICC World Test Championship title in 2021, followed by a landmark 3-0 Test series whitewash over India on home soil that cemented his legacy as one of the country’s greatest ever cricket coaches.

    During their time at Hawthorn, the New Zealand delegation gained exclusive behind-the-scenes access to every layer of the AFL club’s operations: they sat in on senior strategy meetings, observed first-team training sessions, studied Sam Mitchell’s game planning framework as head coach, and examined the off-field operational structures that power the club’s new facility. A key takeaway that has impressed the visiting group is the remarkably smooth and efficient flow of Hawthorn’s internal strategy meetings, a benchmark they hope to adapt for New Zealand Cricket.

    The cross-code connection that made the visit possible was forged by Hawthorn assistant coach David McKay, who completed a professional development stint across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand during the AFL off-season, laying the groundwork for the knowledge exchange.

    The study tour comes as New Zealand’s men’s Test cricket team prepares for a busy end to 2024, with a scheduled Test tour of England followed by a four-match Test series against Australia on home soil. For many members of the visiting delegation, the week of learning will end with a new experience: their first ever live AFL match, where they will watch Hawthorn take on Melbourne at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground this Saturday.