AP – Sports
May 21, 2026
FIFA’s big experiment may have made the World Cup too big for its own good
A supersized World Cup with more teams, more games and even more host nations than ever before leaves a big question hanging over the biggest sporting show on earth: How much is too much? The value of scarcity – the idea that less is worth more – is a concept often discussed in soccer, but rarely practised. And the latest edition of the World Cup – co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico – will further push the boundaries of how far the most popular sport on the planet can go before it reaches breaking point.
2-time NASCAR champion Kyle Busch hospitalized with severe illness, family says
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has been hospitalized with a severe illness and won’t compete at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. His family said in a statement Thursday he is currently undergoing treatment and “we ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.” Busch ranks 24th in the Cup Series standings, with two top-10 finishes in 12 races this season. The 41-year-old driver won championships in 2015 and 2019. Busch is in his fourth season at Richard Childress Racing after winning titles with Joe Gibbs Racing. Austin Hill will replace Busch on Sunday.
Berlin OKs bid to rehost Olympics on or after 100th anniversary of 1936 Games under the Nazis
BERLIN (AP) — Berlin’s state parliament has given the go-ahead for the city’s bid to rehost the Olympic Games on or after the 100th anniversary of the 1936 Games staged by the Nazis. Berlin mayor Kai Wegner says, “Our bid is a genuine promise for future generations.” Wegner’s CDU political party has received support from rival SPD members and the far-right AfD for plans that he first presented in May last year in the same stadium where Jesse Owens defied Adolf Hitler in the 1936 Olympics. Berlin’s senate approved the concept this month for a bid that relies mostly on existing sports facilities and envisages using city landmarks such as the city park at the former airport Tempelhof. The senate estimates the cost at 4.82 billion euros with revenue of 5.24 billion euros projected.
Sinner opens French Open against wild card as he chases a career Grand Slam
PARIS (AP) — Jannik Sinner is set to begin his quest for a career Grand Slam at the French Open this weekend. He faces French wild card Clement Tabur in the first round. Sinner is the overwhelming favorite on a 29-match winning streak. He has claimed all three clay Masters 1000 titles this year. In the women’s draw Coco Gauff aims to defend her Roland Garros title starting against fellow American Taylor Townsend. Novak Djokovic is chasing an unprecedented 25th major title and faces Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard first. Iga Swiatek, the a four-time champion, opens against Emerson Jones. Elina Svitolina, fresh from a Rome title, plays Anna Bondar.
New York City residents will get a chance to purchase $50 World Cup tickets
NEW YORK (AP) — Some lucky New York City residents will soon get a chance to snag cheap seats to this summer’s high-priced World Cup. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Thursday that 1,000 tickets costing $50 will be made available to residents of the city of more than 8 million for the most watched sporting event in the world. The tickets will be available for all games played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, except for the July 19 final. Mamdani said the city would be taking steps to ensure the ones they distribute go to New York City residents and are not resold on the secondary market.
Eagles’ Nolan Smith Jr. arrested for driving nearly double the speed limit in Georgia
Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr. was arrested in Georgia last week on suspicion of speeding and reckless driving. The Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office said Smith was arrested May 15 for driving 135 mph in a 70 mph zone. He posted bond and was released. Smith played at Georgia. He was selected by the Eagles with the 30th pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Philadelphia begins organized team activities Tuesday. A sheriff’s office representative said Smith will not need to appear in court if he pays his fines. Smith is the latest former or current Georgia player to be arrested for driving offenses.
Relegation fight, Salah’s last game and Guardiola’s likely exit as Premier League reaches finale
The Premier League is heading into its final round of games on Sunday and it will be a day of goodbyes. Either West Ham or Tottenham will be the final team relegated. West Ham has been in the top flight since 2012 and Tottenham since 1978. Mohamed Salah and Bernardo Silva will be playing their final games for Liverpool and Manchester City, respectively. It is also likely to be Pep Guardiola’s last match in charge of City as he is expected to leave after 10 years. The title has already been decided with Arsenal crowned as English champion for the first time since 2004. Bournemouth could secure Champions League qualification four years after being promoted to the Premier League.
Wembanyama disappointed after Spurs fall to Thunder, despite another brilliant stat line
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Victor Wembanyama fouled Jalen Williams on a shot attempt in the opening minutes of Game 2 of the Western Conference finals on Wednesday night. Except, no, he really didn’t. Yes, Wembanyama made contact with Williams. Yes, it looked like a foul. Yes, it was called that way — at first. Upon review, it was determined that Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein actually shoved Wembanyama into his teammate and caused the foul himself. That’s how physical the Thunder were with Wembanyama in Game 2. They grabbed, pushed, nudged, anything and everything they could muster against the 7-foot-4 French star who still finished with 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots.
From hockey exile to playoff spark: Carter Hart’s new chapter with the Golden Knights
DENVER (AP) — Carter Hart has made a strong comeback with the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup playoffs. After being acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault scandal, Hart joined the Golden Knights last December. On Wednesday night, he helped them beat top-seeded Colorado 4-2 in the Western Conference Final opener. Hart stopped 36 of 38 shots, showing his skill and focus. Vegas coach John Tortorella praised Hart’s mental strength and performance. Hart expressed his respect for Tortorella and his excitement to play under him again.
Ed Orgeron returns to LSU as a special assistant to recruiting and defense
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Ed Orgeron returned to LSU’s football program Wednesday, seven years after he coached the Tigers to the 2019 national title. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin added the 64-year-old Orgeron to the staff as a special assistant to recruiting and defense. Orgeron worked under Kiffin at Southern California and Tennessee. Orgeron spent six seasons as LSU’s head coach. He was fired after the 2021 season.
