Global Pulse

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  • The schoolgirl who became world champion at 14

    The schoolgirl who became world champion at 14

    At just 15 years old, Farida Khalil of Egypt has carved out a place in sporting history that most elite athletes twice her age can only dream of achieving. In a single 2024 season, the teenage phenomenon claimed every major global title in modern pentathlon, sweeping all three youth divisions before stunning the sporting world by taking home the senior women’s World Championship gold in August 2024. The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), the sport’s global governing body, has labeled Khalil’s unprecedented clean sweep the “Farida Slam,” a feat never before recorded in modern pentathlon competition.

    What sets Khalil apart beyond her historic trophy haul is the relentless commitment she brings to a grueling multi-discipline sport that combines fencing, swimming, running, shooting, and a newly added obstacle race. For the young champion, the variety of modern pentathlon is one of its greatest draws. “I love that difference, that I’m not going to stay fixed on one discipline,” Khalil told BBC Arabic in a recent interview. Her rise to the top of global rankings has been a true family effort, with her father Mohamed Abu Hashem serving as her head coach since she began competing.

    Abu Hashem emphasizes that Khalil’s success is no happy accident, but the product of years of deliberate sacrifice and unwavering persistence. “Raising a champion in your home, a world champion, is not easy at all,” he explained. “It’s not about luck. It is persistence, years of effort, endurance and big sacrifices.” Khalil’s daily routine bears this out: she wakes at 5 a.m. long before the sun rises over Cairo, kicking off each day with two hours of swimming, followed by two hours of running, and fits up to 14 hours of total training into most days, with only short breaks for lunch and academic tutoring. While her school is located just north of the Egyptian capital, her packed training schedule means she can only attend classes part-time, but when she does join her peers, her status as the world’s youngest number-one-ranked athlete precedes her. “My friends at school are always proud that they are walking around with a world champion – walking with the youngest girl to become world number one,” Khalil says.

    Khalil’s emergence as modern pentathlon’s breakout new star could not have come at a more pivotal moment for the sport. Just a few years ago, modern pentathlon faced the threat of being removed from the Olympic Games following a high-profile incident at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where video emerged of a German coach striking a horse that refused to jump during the show jumping discipline. In response, the UIPM voted in November 2021 to replace show jumping with an obstacle race, a change that would take full effect after the 2024 Paris Olympics. This revamped format was used for the first time at the 2025 World Championships in Lithuania, where Khalil claimed her historic senior gold. The young champion is a vocal supporter of the sport’s evolution, noting that the new discipline brings fresh energy to modern pentathlon for both athletes and fans. “I love the idea that our sport is evolving and becoming more appealing to young athletes like me,” she told Olympics.com.

    Today, Khalil hones her craft at Cairo’s El Shams Sporting Club, where she trains under her father’s watchful eye alongside a new generation of young Egyptian pentathletes. Wearing her black Team Egypt shirt emblazoned with a golden image of the falcon-headed Egyptian sky god Horus, she navigates obstacle courses with incredible speed and agility, springing from metal platforms to swing hand-over-hand across overhead ladders as part of her daily training. Abu Hashem says every minute of his daughter’s schedule is intentional, as the pair work toward a shared big dream of Olympic gold. “We are building a big dream, so every minute has to count. This spirit is what makes Farida different from others all over the world,” he says.

    Khalil’s rapid rise through the competitive ranks began just four years ago, when she started competing in youth championships in 2021. She notched wins so consistently against youth competitors that her team quickly moved her up to face senior competition, where she continued to dominate. “We found we were winning with very competitive scores,” Abu Hashem explained. “I started calculating the world records and found that Farida can break them very easily.” Now, father and daughter have their sights set on gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a goal that builds on Egypt’s already impressive legacy in modern pentathlon.

    Egypt first emerged as a global pentathlon powerhouse at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, where Ahmed Elgendy and Salma Abdelmaksoud claimed men’s and women’s individual gold respectively. Elgendy went on to win Egypt’s first senior Olympic medal in the sport with a silver at Tokyo 2020, then upgraded that to a gold medal and a new world record at the 2024 Paris Games. Just hours before Khalil claimed her historic World Championship gold last August, Egyptian athlete Moutaz Mohamed became the first African man to win an individual world title in the sport.

    “Egypt has become a powerhouse in this sport,” Sherif El Erian, president of the Egyptian Modern Pentathlon Federation (EMPF) and UIPM vice president, told the BBC. “This has come through years and years of hard work. It’s like all of Egypt is training.” Khalil’s breakthrough success has only boosted the federation’s momentum: Cairo will host the 2028 World Championships, which will also serve as an official Olympic qualifying event.

    Off the competition course, Khalil has embraced her role as an inspiration for young athletes across Egypt and beyond. In 2023, UNICEF named her a Shabab Balad (Youth of the Country) champion, recognizing her as “a true inspiration and source of pride” for young people across the nation. Today, she often receives requests for advice from aspiring athletes both inside and outside the world of pentathlon, and she makes time to support anyone who wants to follow in her footsteps. “I am very happy when I see someone who wants to do what I did,” she says. “Of course I help them. I help everyone who needs advice.”

  • Son of Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti hired to lead Lille in return to Champions League

    Son of Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti hired to lead Lille in return to Champions League

    LILLE, France – In a high-profile coaching announcement made Monday, Ligue 1 side Lille OSC confirmed the appointment of Davide Ancelotti, son of Brazil men’s national team head coach Carlo Ancelotti, as their new first-team manager for the 2025-26 season. The 36-year-old tactician has put pen to paper on a two-year contract that will see him steer the club through its return to the UEFA Champions League, the top club football competition in European soccer.

    Ancelotti steps into the role vacated by Bruno Génésio, who did not receive a contract extension after delivering a third-place Ligue 1 finish that secured Lille’s automatic Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign. While Génésio led the club to solid domestic results, Lille’s ownership opted for a fresh face to guide the team through their European challenge.

    Davide Ancelotti brings nearly 15 years of top-tier coaching experience across Europe and South America, much of it earned alongside his legendary father. He served as an assistant coach at five different elite clubs – Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid – before joining Carlo Ancelotti’s staff with the Brazil national team during 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying. After cutting his teeth as an assistant at the highest level of the sport, Ancelotti struck out on his own last year, taking his first full-time head coaching role at Brazilian Serie A club Botafogo. His tenure in Rio de Janeiro ended prematurely, however, with Ancelotti relieved of his duties just five months after taking the job.

    This return to France marks Ancelotti’s first senior coaching role in the country in more than a decade. Over 13 years ago, he worked as a fitness coach at Paris Saint-Germain during Carlo Ancelotti’s 18-month spell in charge of the Parisian giants, giving him early familiarity with French top-flight soccer.

    For Lille, the upcoming Champions League campaign marks a return to the competition after the club’s 2024-25 run saw them reach the round of 16, where they were eliminated by Germany’s Borussia Dortmund. Last season, after dropping into the UEFA Europa League, Génésio’s side once again reached the round of 16, falling to eventual tournament winners Aston Villa. With Ancelotti at the helm, the club will look to build on recent consistent European runs and compete for both domestic and continental honors in the coming seasons.

  • James Milner announces retirement after record-breaking Premier League career

    James Milner announces retirement after record-breaking Premier League career

    One of the most enduring and respected figures in English top-flight soccer, James Milner, has formally called time on his iconic 24-year professional playing career, announcing his decision via social media on Monday. The 40-year-old midfielder, who set a new record for the most appearances in Premier League history, departs the sport after 658 top division outings, finishing his final chapter at current club Brighton & Hove Albion. Looking back on a decorated journey that included stints at some of England’s biggest clubs, Milner said the moment to step away felt natural and right.

    Milner’s career is a story of longevity, consistency, and rare adaptability that began when he made his professional debut at age 16 with boyhood club Leeds United. It was at Leeds that he first made history, becoming the youngest goal-scorer in Premier League history at the time, a milestone that signaled the start of a decades-long career filled with accolades. Over the following 24 seasons, Milner went on to wear the kits of top-flight giants Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Liverpool, before ending his playing days at Brighton. Along the way, he claimed a full collection of major club honors: three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two League Cups, a UEFA Champions League trophy, and a FIFA Club World Cup.

    At the international level, Milner also represented his home nation England, earning 61 senior caps and featuring for the Three Lions at two European Championships and two FIFA World Cups. In a heartfelt statement posted to his social media channels, Milner reflected on the unexpected path his career has taken, noting he never could have imagined the experiences he would have as a young player coming through the ranks.

    “From fighting for league survival to lifting major trophies, playing in European competitions and representing my country on the world’s biggest stages, I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy so many unforgettable moments,” Milner wrote. He went on to thank both fans and critics who shaped his journey, adding: “To those who supported me every step of the way, your encouragement meant more than you’ll ever know. And to those who gave me grief along the way, thank you too — you all played your part in making the journey memorable and helping shape me as a player and person.”

    Widely regarded as one of the most professional and versatile players of his generation, Milner leaves the sport as one of the Premier League’s most iconic figures, with a career that set new benchmarks for longevity and consistency at the top of English soccer.

  • Two men charged after teen allegedly bitten during violent Sydney soccer brawl in Revesby

    Two men charged after teen allegedly bitten during violent Sydney soccer brawl in Revesby

    What was supposed to be a routine weekend under-17 boys’ soccer fixture in southwest Sydney turned into uncontrolled violence over the weekend, leaving multiple people injured and two people facing serious criminal charges. The clash unfolded around 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Amour Park, located on Iluka Street in Revesby, between competing sides Revesby Rovers FC and Greenacre Eagles FC.

    According to New South Wales Police accounts, a small on-field disagreement between teenage players rapidly escalated far beyond the pitch, triggering a full-scale pitch invasion that drew more than 30 people—both spectators and players—into a sprawling, chaotic melee. Graphic mobile phone footage captured from the scene shows brawling participants surging across the grass, at one point even catching an innocent bystander walking their dog near the sideline in the middle of the chaos.

    Emergency services were called to the park to respond to the violence, with paramedics treating multiple injured people on scene before transporting two for further hospital care. A 47-year-old man, who suffered minor head wounds in the fight, was taken to Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital for evaluation and treatment. An 18-year-old man, who was found with a clear bite mark on his back among other injuries, was transferred to Liverpool Hospital to receive care.

    In the hours and days following the incident, officers from the Bankstown Police Area Command launched a full investigation to identify key instigators of the brawl. On Sunday, police arrested a 47-year-old man from Greenacre. He has been formally charged with affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and was granted conditional bail ahead of a scheduled court appearance at Bankstown Local Court on June 25.

    Later the same day, investigators located and took an 18-year-old man into custody, transporting him to Bankstown Police Station for processing. The teen faces serious charges that include affray and possession of a weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence. He was initially refused bail following his arrest, but appeared at Bankstown Local Court on Monday where he was also granted conditional bail, with the same court return date of June 25 set.

    In the wake of the violence, five police officers remained on scene to interview club officials and witness, while a separate senior men’s match scheduled for the park continued in the background. Police confirmed Tuesday that their investigation into the full circumstances of the brawl is still ongoing, and additional charges may be laid as new information comes to light. The incident has renewed calls for greater spectator oversight at junior community sporting events across New South Wales, where violent crowd disturbances at youth matches have become an increasingly concerning issue in recent years.

  • Germany looking for World Cup redemption after successive early exits

    Germany looking for World Cup redemption after successive early exits

    Four-time World Cup winners Germany enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a heavy shadow hanging over their campaign: back-to-back humiliating group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022 have left the national soccer program desperate to reclaim its once-unquestioned status as a global powerhouse. Since its 2022 Qatar exit, which marked a new low for German soccer, the team has undergone a major reset. Former head coach Hansi Flick clung to his role for six additional matches after the tournament, but three consecutive defeats ultimately forced his departure, clearing the way for a fresh start.

    Enter Julian Nagelsmann, the young, ambitious tactician who took the reins ahead of the 2024 UEFA European Championship, where Germany served as host. Building around a core of dynamic, emerging young talent, Nagelsmann’s rebuild showed early promise: the side bowed out to eventual tournament champions Spain in the quarterfinals, a result the coach said was a narrow defeat, leaving him bullish about Germany’s chances to claim the World Cup title in 2026. That confidence, however, has been paired with a surprising late roster choice that hints at underlying nerves heading into the tournament.

    In a last-minute call that upended earlier plans, Nagelsmann has recalled 40-year-old veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from two years of international retirement, ending widespread expectation that Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann would fill the starting number one role after solid performances in qualifying. The decision casts clear doubt on Baumann’s readiness for the biggest stage, but Nagelsmann argues that Neuer’s unparalleled experience — 124 national team caps and a winner’s medal from the 2014 World Cup, where he stood as a key member of Germany’s last title-winning squad — makes the calculated risk worth taking. Neuer is set to become the only surviving member of that 2014 champion squad to feature in 2026, and his inclusion will mark his fifth World Cup appearance.

    Nagelsmann acknowledged that the recall is a significant blow to Baumann, a consistent team player who is not expected to publicly criticize the call, but pushed back against suggestions the move signals a goalkeeper crisis for Germany. “Everyone knows what kind of aura he possesses and the quality he brings to a team,” Nagelsmann said. “We don’t have a goalkeeper problem.” A notable quirk of the selection: Neuer is just over two years older than his 38-year-old head coach, who is making his first appearance at a World Cup as a manager. According to German football magazine Kicker, Neuer’s addition pushes the squad’s average age to 27.98, the oldest German World Cup squad since Rudi Völler’s 2002 roster. Bayern Munich teammate Joshua Kimmich has been named captain of the 2026 side.

    The biggest question hanging over Neuer’s inclusion remains fitness: the veteran has a long history of recurring injuries, and most recently missed Bayern’s German Cup final against Stuttgart with a calf injury. For Germany, the stakes of another early exit could not be higher. The team’s past two World Cup campaigns both crumbled after opening defeats to Mexico (2018) and Japan (2022), a pattern no one in the camp is willing to repeat. Germany kicks off its Group E campaign in Houston on June 14 against tournament newcomer Curaçao, a side that is not expected to pull off an upset. After the opener, Germany will face stiffer tests against Ivory Coast and Ecuador, even if the expanded 48-team World Cup format — which advances 32 teams to the knockout stage — gives the side far more margin for error than in past tournaments.

    While Germany cruised through qualifying, the side has still struggled to match top European heavyweights including France, Portugal and Spain, highlighting gaps that need addressing ahead of the tournament. Defensive solidity is Nagelsmann’s biggest area of concern: the team conceded four goals across two friendly wins in March, edging Switzerland 4-3 and shutting out Ghana 1-0. Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck have anchored the central defense in recent outings, with Kimmich — a starting midfielder for his club Bayern Munich — shifting to right back, and either David Raum or Nathaniel Brown filling the left back spot.

    A late injury to experienced winger Serge Gnabry is a blow to the attacking unit, but Nagelsmann has turned down calls to add 19-year-old Cologne prospect Said El Mala to the squad, pointing to elite young attacking talent in Bayern’s Jamal Musiala and Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz as more than enough to cover the gap. The youngest member of the squad, 18-year-old Bayern prospect Lennart Karl, rounds out the attacking options as a surprise wild card selection, having recovered from a hamstring injury in time to earn his spot on the roster. For a team still chasing redemption after two decades without a World Cup title and two humiliating early exits, all eyes will be on whether Neuer’s veteran leadership and a new generation of young talent can finally lift Germany back to the top of global soccer.

  • Brisbane begins work on the 2032 Olympics main stadium at Victoria Park after protesters moved

    Brisbane begins work on the 2032 Olympics main stadium at Victoria Park after protesters moved

    Nearly five years after Brisbane secured the hosting rights for the 2032 Summer Olympic Games, official construction work on the Games’ flagship stadium got underway on a crisp, sunny winter Monday in Queensland, Australia, following the relocation of on-site protesters and the deployment of heavy excavation equipment.

    The handover of the Victoria Park construction site, located in Brisbane’s inner city, was completed at midnight when the Games’ Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority took over ownership from Brisbane City Council. Work crews quickly erected temporary perimeter fencing around the plot earmarked for the AU$3.6 billion (US$2.6 billion) main stadium, with a heavy contingent of police deployed to the area to maintain order.

    This security buildup came days after Queensland state police arrested five people occupying protest camps in the parklands, and council workers began dismantling the makeshift encampments. Just hours after the site handover, a small remaining group of activists was moved from inside the construction perimeter to the area outside the fencing. Hundreds of protesters had gathered for a large demonstration at the site on Sunday afternoon, but the start of construction proceeded quietly under police watch on Monday morning.

    Queensland Premier David Crisafulli marked the official start of works with a ceremonial first sod turning, telling reporters that the Queensland public has repeatedly pressed his government to move forward with the project. “It’s game on — we have a plan to deliver for the 2032 Games and beyond, and today, we get cracking on delivering it,” he said. “Victoria Park will be the beating sport, cultural and green heart of Brisbane, and a place all Queenslanders can be proud of.”

    Crisafulli noted that he respected protesters’ right to free speech and advocacy, but drew the line at demonstrations blocking construction work, adding that after the stadium is completed, more than two-thirds of the total Victoria Park area will remain public green space.

    Opposition to the project has been led by Indigenous groups and environmental organizations, who argue that building the main stadium on the heritage-listed inner-city park will permanently erase critical green space and culturally significant sacred sites for future generations of Queenslanders. Organizers of the Save Victoria Park movement emphasize they are not opposed to the Olympics altogether, but reject the current venue plan that places the stadium in the park.

    “We’re not an anti-Olympics group, but we don’t support the Olympics in its current form,” Save Victoria Park organizer Andrea Lunt told the Australian Associated Press. Lunt added that the group is currently weighing its next steps in the campaign, noting that the park’s unique heritage and historical value make it an irreplaceable public asset for Brisbane.

    Legal and regulatory challenges to the project have already been mounted. Last year, the Queensland state government reclassified Victoria Park, exempting the site from existing heritage, environmental and planning regulations, and converted the land to freehold ownership to clear the way for construction. Indigenous, heritage and environmental groups have launched legal challenges to overturn this decision.

    At the federal level, Australian Environment Minister Murray Watt confirmed he has received 10 applications seeking emergency protection for a significant Aboriginal site at the park that campaigners say is under threat of injury or desecration. Watt has already rejected some of the applications but is still reviewing others. Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Watt explained that cultural heritage declarations are not intended to block major projects entirely, but instead to mandate specific protections to prevent damage or desecration of culturally important sites.

    The five people arrested during a police operation to clear protest camps on Friday face charges of obstructing police and assaulting officers, according to a police spokesperson. One of the five arrested has since been released without charge. Prior to the start of construction, the Victoria Park site hosted a golf driving range, open public parkland, and a popular venue for weddings and community events.

    The International Olympic Committee gave its official backing to the Queensland government’s revised 2032 venue plan last year, following a series of earlier planning delays, confirming that the Brisbane Games remain “on the right path.” The 2032 Olympics has secured full backing from both the Queensland state government and the federal Australian government for venue construction and delivery.

  • Sabalenka, Osaka clash in blockbuster French Open tie

    Sabalenka, Osaka clash in blockbuster French Open tie

    The 2025 French Open enters its second week with a historic matchup headlining the schedule on Monday, as two of women’s tennis biggest superstars Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka will meet in the first women’s night match held at Roland Garros in three years. This clash marks their third meeting of 2025 and the fourth encounter of their professional careers, with every past match between the two four-time Grand Slam champions coming at the round of 16 stage.

    World No. 1 Sabalenka comes into the match chasing her first ever French Open title, a goal that fell just one win short last year when she suffered a heartbreaking final defeat to Coco Gauff. The Belarusian top seed is under no illusions about the test Osaka will bring, praising the Japanese star for her impressive resurgence after stepping away from the tour in 2023 to welcome her first child.

    “It’s great, great to see her back on her level. Maybe not at her best level, but she’s back, she’s fighting, she’s building her level,” Sabalenka said of her upcoming opponent. “It’s nice to see her. She’s a great player, great person. I feel like I really enjoy our battles. It’s high-level matches, and I really enjoy when somebody pushes me to the limit.”

    For Osaka, this run to the round of 16 is already a career-first at Roland Garros, marking a remarkable comeback from her maternity break and proving she has found far more comfort on the Paris clay than ever before. Osaka, who claimed four Grand Slam singles titles before her pause from the sport, took time to rediscover her form after rejoining the tour, but broke through with a US Open semi-final run last year — her first trip to the second week of a major since winning the 2021 Australian Open.

    The 26-year-old has set clear goals for her 2025 clay and grass court swing, and is not planning to end her run in Paris on Monday. “I really wanted to make it a goal to do really well on clay and grass. I don’t want this to be my last round. I want to keep going. I just want to keep focusing on every match,” Osaka said.

    The winner of Monday’s marquee matchup will advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face either former Australian Open champion Madison Keys or Russian rising star Diana Shnaider. Beyond the headline clash, several other women’s matches will unfold on Monday’s schedule: the last remaining home hope Diane Parry will aim to replicate last year’s surprise semi-final run from fellow French wildcard Lois Boisson when she faces Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska, while 28th seed Anastasia Potapova of Austria will look to build on her upset victory over defending champion Coco Gauff against Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya.

    The men’s draw has been turned upside down ahead of round of 16 play, with the top half left wide open after the shock early exit of world No. 2 Jannik Sinner and an opening round defeat for young American star Ben Shelton. That leaves world No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada as the highest-ranked player remaining in that section of the draw, and he will bid to reach his first ever French Open quarter-final against Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo — who is competing in his first ever Grand Slam round of 16.

    The open draw has opened unexpected opportunities for lower-ranked players, including American world No. 85 Zachary Svajda, who had only won two Grand Slam matches total before this tournament. When asked about Sinner’s exit opening up the draw, Svajda said he is focusing on one match at a time against Italian 10th seed Flavio Cobolli. “When I saw Sinner was out, I try to stay present and stay positive and just take it day by day, match by match,” he said. “I knew the draw was open, but I just tried to keep doing my routines, keep doing what I’ve been doing, and just see what happens.”

    Other notable men’s matches on Monday include a showdown between former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini and Sinner’s conqueror Juan Manuel Cerundolo, with the Italian targeting his first Grand Slam quarter-final appearance since 2022. American big-hitter Frances Tiafoe, who reached the French Open quarter-finals last year, will take on rising Italian talent Matteo Arnaldi.

  • Cristian Volpato selected in Australia’s World Cup squad just days after switch of allegiance

    Cristian Volpato selected in Australia’s World Cup squad just days after switch of allegiance

    BRISBANE, Australia – In a late, high-stakes roster shake-up just weeks out from the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by North America, Australian men’s national team head coach Tony Popovic has named 22-year-old attacking midfielder Cristian Volpato to his final 26-man squad, just days after the player officially formalized his national team switch from Italy to the Socceroos.

    The announcement, made Monday, marks a stunning full-circle moment for Volpato, who turned down an invitation to join Australia’s 2022 World Cup squad four years ago, only to reset his international future with the nation of his birth. Born in Sydney, Volpato came up through Italy’s youth development system and earned caps for Italy’s Under-21 national side, but remained eligible to switch allegiances under FIFA regulations, as he never appeared in a competitive senior international match for the Azzurri. That eligibility shift became all the more relevant after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, opening the door for Volpato to pursue his World Cup dream with Australia.

    Volpato is one of 17 first-time World Cup squad members on Australia’s roster, joining young striker Tete Yengi and a host of other emerging talents. The squad also features iconic veteran leadership: captain Mat Ryan, who brings 104 senior international caps to the pitch, and experienced attacker Mathew Leckie, both selected for their fourth World Cup appearance. The milestone ties the pair for the all-time Australian record, previously held only by retired stars Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan. Popovic highlighted the outsized role the veteran duo will play for a largely young roster, noting that “they can lead the way and guide these young players.”

    Fresh off his eligibility approval, Volpato only joined the Socceroos’ pre-tournament training camp in Los Angeles over the weekend, missing the team’s 1-0 warm-up defeat to Mexico in Pasadena last week. Even with his late arrival, Popovic made clear he has high hopes for the young midfielder, who currently competes in Italy’s top-flight Serie A. “He’s a very talented player. A young player — he’s doing well in Serie A,” Popovic told reporters following the squad announcement. “Technically a very good player, great left foot, comfortable under pressure. I’m looking forward to working with him.”

    While many observers have framed Australia’s heavily youth-focused selection as a build toward future tournaments down the line, Popovic pushed back on that framing, saying the current group is already competitive enough to compete at the highest level. “It would be easy to say Australia’s selection appeared to be one that looked toward the future but I think we should keep the expectation high now,” he said. “What we have is a lot of young exuberance, a lot of exciting talent. Will they be better in four and eight years? Without a doubt, but that’s not to say they’re not good enough now. I want them all to give me a (selection) headache every week, and I believe in these young boys.”

    Australia continues its pre-tournament preparation with a final warm-up match against Switzerland in San Diego this coming Saturday. Once the World Cup kicks off, the Socceroos will face off against Turkey in Vancouver on June 13, the host United States in Seattle on June 19, and Paraguay in Santa Clara on June 25 in Group D play.

    The full 26-man Australia World Cup squad is as follows:
    Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan, Patrick Beach, Paul Izzo
    Defenders: Aziz Behich, Jordan Bos, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Lucas Herrington, Jacob Italiano, Harry Souttar, Kai Trewin
    Midfielders: Cameron Devlin, Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe, Mathew Leckie, Paul Okon-Engstler, Aiden O’Neill
    Forwards: Ajdin Hrustic, Nestory Irankunda, Awer Mabil, Mohamed Toure, Nishan Velupillay, Cristian Volpato, Tete Yengi

  • Vingegaard wins Giro d’Italia to complete Grand Tour set

    Vingegaard wins Giro d’Italia to complete Grand Tour set

    In a historic milestone for professional road cycling, Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard secured overall victory at the 2025 Giro d’Italia on Sunday, capping off a dominant three-week race and cementing his place as one of the sport’s all-time greats by completing the rare sweep of cycling’s three Grand Tours. The final stage of the race, which concluded on the sunlit streets of central Rome, delivered a hometown fairytale for Italian sprinter Jonathan Milan, who claimed a dramatic stage win with a late powerful burst, but the day belonged entirely to Vingegaard, who rolled into the capital draped in the Giro’s iconic pink leader’s jersey to claim his first overall title at the Italian race.

    With Sunday’s result, Vingegaard adds the Giro crown to his back-to-back Tour de France titles in 2022 and 2023, and his 2025 Vuelta a Espana victory, completing the sport’s coveted Triple Crown of three-week Grand Tours. This achievement makes him the only active rider in the world to hold wins at all three events, and just the eighth male rider in the entire 100-plus year history of professional cycling to reach the mark, joining legendary figures including Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Italy’s own Vincenzo Nibali.

    Slovenian cycling star Tadej Pogacar, Vingegaard’s long-time rival, has claimed four Tour de France titles and one Giro d’Italia victory to his name, but has yet to add a Vuelta win to his resume, leaving the Triple Crown out of his reach for now.

    Speaking to Italian public broadcaster RAI after crossing the finish line, an emotional Vingegaard reflected on the unprecedented achievement. “Winning all three is very special for me, it’s difficult to find the words to describe it,” the Visma–Lease a Bike rider said. Following the victory, Vingegaard plans to stay in Rome for several days to celebrate with his family before returning to his native Denmark to begin preparations for the 2025 Tour de France, which kicks off on July 4, where he is set to face off once again against Pogacar in cycling’s most high-profile showdown.

    Vingegaard noted that his fitness remains strong despite the grueling three-week Giro, a positive sign for his Tour prospects. “If you’re completely exhausted and need two weeks of rest afterwards, it’s not ideal. But I’m not completely exhausted,” he explained. Richard Plugge, general manager of the Visma–Lease a Bike team, expressed full confidence in his rider’s ability to contend for another yellow jersey in July. “Jonas is getting even stronger after this. We planned it so that he will be at his peak in the Tour de France, so we’re looking forward to that fight,” Plugge said, describing the squad as a “yellow jersey organization” focused on Tour victory.

    Vingegaard’s victory at this year’s Giro was defined by utter dominance. With Pogacar not competing in the race, the Danish rider faced no serious challenges to his lead throughout the three weeks, wrapping up the overall title with a commanding mountain stage victory on Saturday that sealed his advantage before the processional final stage into Rome. He finished the general classification with five individual stage wins, and an unrivaled 5 minute 22 second gap over second-place Austrian rider Felix Gall. 2022 Giro champion Jai Hindley of Australia rounded out the overall podium in third.

    In the race’s other classification awards, Portugal’s Afonso Eulalio claimed the white jersey for the best young rider, after holding the overall pink leader’s jersey for eight consecutive stages following a breakout performance on a rain-soaked fifth stage. Italian veteran Giulio Ciccone won the mountains classification, while young French sprinter Paul Magnier claimed the points classification sprint jersey thanks to three stage wins throughout the race.

    For Milan, the final stage win marked a satisfying redemption for his Giro campaign. The home favorite had come close to stage victories multiple times throughout the race but had failed to cross the line first until Sunday, when he outsprinted compatriot Giovanni Lonardi and France’s Paul Penhoet to take the win on home soil. “I’m pleased to have finished my Giro this way,” Milan told RAI. “It’s important in terms of just winning something. It wasn’t easy always being close but not quite getting there.” Milan finished the points classification 47 points behind winner Magnier.

  • Czech Republic’s final World Cup squad includes 17-year-old Hugo Sochůrek

    Czech Republic’s final World Cup squad includes 17-year-old Hugo Sochůrek

    Teenage sensation Hugo Sochůrek has capped off a breakthrough weekend by earning a spot in the Czech Republic’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the youngest player to ever represent the Czech senior men’s national team during a warm-up fixture against Kosovo just hours before the roster was finalized.

    The 17-year-old Sparta Prague midfielder came off the bench in Sunday’s 2-1 Czech victory over Kosovo, a warm-up test that double as the final evaluation opportunity for head coach Miroslav Koubek. Following the final whistle, the 74-year-old veteran coach trimmed his initial 29-player preliminary list down to the tournament-compliant 26, cutting three hopefuls who missed out on the trip to North America: FC Cincinnati midfielder Pavel Bucha, Mladá Boleslav forward Christophe Kabongo and Viktoria Plzeň midfielder Tomáš Ladra. Calling the difficult final cuts “probably the worst moment of my coaching career,” Koubek acknowledged the emotional weight of eliminating players who had come close to reaching the sport’s biggest stage.

    In a major boost for the Czech side, attacking midfielder Adam Hložek of Hoffenheim marked his return to international action — his first cap for the national team since June — with a goal, after spending months sidelined with persistent calf and foot injuries. The 23-year-old, who has now notched five goals in 42 international appearances, brings much-needed attacking depth to a roster looking to make an impact on their first World Cup return in 20 years.

    In a surprising roster call, Koubek also included two Slavia Prague players who were suspended by their club for the remainder of the domestic season and placed on the transfer list over disciplinary issues: forward Tomáš Chorý and defender David Douděra, both of whom will get the chance to resurrect their careers on the global stage.

    The full roster, anchored by established Czech mainstays including Lyon midfielder Pavel Šulc, Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick and West Ham United star Tomáš Souček, will depart for the United States later on Sunday to complete their final preparation. Their final pre-tournament friendly is scheduled for June 4 against Guatemala in New Jersey, before the team sets up their tournament base in Mansfield, Texas.

    The Czech Republic, who qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2006, enter Group A of the tri-nation tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. They will kick off their World Cup campaign against South Korea in Guadalajara, Mexico on June 11, before facing South Africa in Atlanta on June 18 and closing out group play against hosts Mexico in Mexico City on June 25.

    The full final 26-man Czech Republic squad is as follows:
    Goalkeepers: Lukáš Horníček (Braga), Matěj Kovář (PSV Eindhoven), Jindřich Staněk (Slavia Prague)
    Defenders: Vladimír Coufal (Hoffenheim), David Douděra (Slavia Prague), Tomáš Holeš (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranáč (Hoffenheim), Štěpán Chaloupek (Slavia Prague), David Jurásek (Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejčí (Wolverhampton), Jaroslav Zelený (Sparta Prague), David Zima (Slavia Prague)
    Midfielders: Lukáš Červ (Viktoria Plzeň), Vladimír Darida (Hradec Králové), Lukáš Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadílek (Slavia Prague), Hugo Sochůrek (Sparta Prague), Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzeň), Tomáš Souček (West Ham), Pavel Šulc (Lyon), Denis Višinský (Viktoria Plzeň)
    Forwards: Tomáš Chorý (Slavia Prague), Adam Hložek (Hoffenheim), Mojmír Chytil (Slavia Prague), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)