- ESPN Chair Jimmy Pitaro confirmed the network will bid on the media rights for the 2030 World Cup. ESPN had broadcast the tournament from 1994 to 2014 until Fox Sports began airing the event in 2018 (Deadline).
- This World Cup could push Spain F Lamine Yamal to superstardom if he can help his team lift the trophy Sunday by beating Argentina and F Lionel Messi, maybe even becoming his heir apparent as the world’s greatest player (Yahoo Sports).
- Argentina F Lionel Messi will appear Friday night at the official FIFA World Cup final press conference at Fanatics Fest less than 48 hours before he attempts to lead Argentina to back-to-back World Cup titles (SBJ).
- FIFA Senior Pitch Management Manager Alan Ferguson said he’s “confident” that the grass at N.Y. N.J Stadium is in excellent condition for Sunday’s World Cup final (The Athletic).
- TickPick data shows that the World Cup final between Spain-Argentina at N.Y./N.J. Stadium on Sunday could be the most expensive for a sports event in U.S. history, with an average purchase price of $11,327 (USA Today).
- U.S. World Cup Chief Andrew Giuliani said the Trump administration is “signaling” that the nation’s cooperation with the 2031 Women’s World Cup will depend on FIFA’s transgender athlete rules aligning with U.S. policies (Politico).
- Former soccer player Carlos Bocanegra, who played on the USMNT from 2001-2012, said a key next step for U.S. Soccer is to have a clear vision for the program’s future before hiring the next coach (“Unfiltered Soccer”).
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