AP – Sports
July 8, 2026
World Cup quarterfinals: It’s Messi, Morocco, and 6 teams from Europe. And that’s not unusual
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The World Cup has narrowed to eight teams, with six from Europe. Unless Morocco surprises everyone, the champion will be from Europe or South America as usual. Historically, 12 champions have come from Europe and 10 from South America. North America is hosting this year and had high hopes with the U.S., Mexico, and Canada but all were eliminated before the quarterfinals. Africa’s hopes now rest on Morocco. Despite some close matches, African teams also made early exits. The tournament continues to show dominance by traditional soccer powerhouses.
‘Ferytale’ rolls on at Wimbledon as British wild card Fery into semifinals after meeting queen
LONDON (AP) — The “Ferytale” continues at Wimbledon. Arthur Fery grew up five minutes from the All England Club and now the 114th-ranked player is a semifinalist at the grass-court Grand Slam. The 23-year-old British player, who needed a wild-card invitation to enter the tournament, beat ninth-seeded Flavio Cobolli 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-0 on Centre Court in front of roaring home fans and a Royal Box contingent that included Britain’s Queen Camilla on Wednesday. He will face Alexander Zverev in Friday’s semifinal.
Why World Cup game balls always make their way back onto the pitch during matches
ATLANTA (AP) — Game balls for World Cup matches have become stars in their own right during the tournament. The ball has made headlines with its embedded technology and raised questions among fans, including: Why is everyone expected to promptly toss the ball back onto the pitch? It’s a question more out of curiosity than an outcry for change. Catching a baseball in the stands during a game and taking the souvenir home is one of the cherished traditions of America’s favorite pastime. FIFA requires that any ball leaving the field be returned. Soccer historian Charles Cuttone explains that this has always been the norm, partly due to the ball’s cost and technology. Despite the technology, some fans feel they should keep the ball, especially after spending heavily on attending the event.
Justin Verlander plans to retire after this season, capping a career with 3 Cy Young Awards
DETROIT (AP) — Justin Verlander plans to call it a career later this year. The three-time Cy Young Award winner, two-time World Series champion and 2011 AL MVP will retire after this season with the Detroit Tigers. Verlander made the announcement on Wednesday, shortly after he was added as a Legend Pick to the American League All-Star roster. The 43-year-old Verlander is the oldest player in Major League Baseball. He signed a $13 million, one-year contract. He has pitched only once this season and that was back in March. Verlander went on the injured list with hip inflammation and a pulled hamstring.
Ukraine’s Kostyuk extends Wimbledon run as attacks hit Kyiv. She slams IOC decision on Russia
LONDON (AP) — As Marta Kostyuk played her first Wimbledon quarterfinal on Centre Court, her compatriots back home in Ukraine were dealing with another deadly attack by Russia on Kyiv. It has been the same for much of her run to the semifinals at the Grand Slam tournament. For Kostyuk, every day is about finding a way to focus on tennis while not shutting her eyes to what is going on at home. After beating Jasmine Paolini, Kostyuk says: “It’s not easy to disconnect entirely” but that “I try for these things not to influence me too much.” She also criticized the International Olympic Committee for provisionally lifting its ban on Russia, calling the decision ”terrible.”
Royals’ Tyler Tolbert ties MLB record with hits in 12 straight plate appearances
NEW YORK (AP) — Tyler Tolbert of the Kansas City Royals has tied a major league record with hits in 12 consecutive plate appearances. He reached the mark with an infield single against the New York Mets for his fifth hit Tuesday night. Tolbert matched the record set by Chicago’s Johnny Kling in 1902 and equaled by Walt Dropo of the Detroit Tigers in 1952. With a chance to break the record, Tolbert was finally retired in the ninth on a fly ball to right against A.J. Minter to finish 5 for 6. The second-year player homered in the second inning and singled in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh.
Pirates’ Ryan O’Hearn sets club record with 10 RBIs during 3-homer night vs. Braves
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ryan O’Hearn set a franchise record by driving in 10 runs on three homers against Atlanta. O’Hearn hit a grand slam in the first inning, a three-run shot in the third, and another three-run homer in the sixth. His 10 RBIs broke the franchise record of nine RBIs set by Johnny Rizzo in 1939. O’Hearn’s 10 RBIs are the most by any player in the majors this year. An All-Star last season, O’Hearn also became the 16th player in Pittsburgh’s 145-year history to hit three homers in a game.
Same old story: US men’s soccer team has been stagnant for quarter century
SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. men’s national soccer team remains stagnant despite growth in American soccer. Christian Pulisic and teammates have not advanced beyond the round of 16 at the World Cup, similar to past teams. The U.S. lost to Belgium 4-1 on Monday in the round of 16. Billions have been invested to boost the team, but it remains far from elite. Coach Mauricio Pochettino plans to discuss his future with the U.S. Soccer Federation. Goalkeeping has become a weak spot, and qualifying for future World Cups should be less challenging with 48-team tournaments. Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman have shown promise.
Queen Camilla visits Wimbledon and is joined by actor who played her husband
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Queen Camilla is making her customary visit to Wimbledon and was joined in the Royal Box by an actor who once portrayed her husband. It is the fourth year in a row that the queen, the wife of King Charles III, has visited the All England Club on Day 10 of the grass-court Grand Slam tournament. She wore a light blue dress as she took her seat to watch the women’s quarterfinal between Jasmine Paolini and Marta Kostyuk on Centre Court. Other famous faces in the Royal Box included actors Elle Fanning and Dominic West, who was nominated for an Emmy for his role as Charles in the Netflix drama “The Crown.”
Royals slugger Jac Caglianone latest to commit to participating in the Home Run Derby
Kansas City Royals slugger Jac Caglianone is the latest to commit to participating in the Home Run Derby on Monday in Philadelphia. The 23-year-old Caglianone joins Ben Rice from the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero in the competition. The other five participants have not yet been announced. No Royals player has ever won the Home Run Derby.
